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Final Report: Industrial Ecology, Pollution Prevention and the New York/New Jersey Harbor

EPA Grant Number: X3832202
Title: Industrial Ecology, Pollution Prevention and the New York/New Jersey Harbor
Investigators: Panero, Marta A.
Institution: New York Academy of Sciences
EPA Project Officer: Bauer, Diana
Project Period: March 14, 2005 through March 13, 2007
Project Amount: $144,000
RFA: Collaborative Science & Technology Network for Sustainability (2004)
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development

Description:

Objective:

The objective of this grant was to identify and promote environmentally sound pollution prevention (P2) strategies for the NY/NJ Harbor watershed, leading to improved environmental indicators (in water quality, biota, fish and wildlife, recreational activities) and efficient resource use, material integration, and waste minimization within the regional economy. The focal point of the project is reducing the contaminant load to the entire watershed. We have used a three step approach: (a) Material Flows research, including a watershed mass balance for each contaminant to identify system-wide sources, pathways, re-mobilization through different media, and sinks; (b) an industrial ecology assessment to identify design patterns, production, consumption and post-consumption activities leading to releases; and (c) Involvement of stakeholders to review scientific, technical, and socio-economic analysis, develop P2 strategies after multi-disciplinary valuation ranking, and to recommend and implement the action plan.

This project concentrated on dioxins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Short-term success (expected results) has been achieved by developing watershed-wide P2 strategies and progress has been shown through our published reports. Long-term success will be achieved through implementation of P2 strategies. The reports, summarizing our three step approach, identifying sources and related P2 strategies, implementation challenges and lessons learned, will be readily transferable to other regions. We share our research findings with the Binational Toxics Strategy Group, the Delaware River Basin Commission, the Long Island Sound Initiative, and others.

The project directly benefits those using the watershed for recreational activities, environmental resources (fish, wildlife, and biota), and a regional economy of about 20 million people. Indirectly, it supports the work of other watershed management programs.

The work proposed under this grant has been structured in a 2-year period (March 2005 to March 2007). Most of the work commenced early in 2005. All proposed goals under this grant have been achieved during the years 2005 to 2007. This final report shows that we have met our proposed obligations and that these are in accordance with the original products proposed in our approved application.

This final report includes a detailed list of deliverables that were completed during each year of the grant. This report has been structured in terms of “deliverables and outputs.” The “Deliverables and Outputs During 2005-2006” section provides a list of deliverables that were completed during the first year of the grant. All corresponding attachments were submitted during the spring of 2006. The “Deliverables and Outputs During 2006-2007” section provides detailed information on how the last deliverables due on this grant were completed. Corresponding attachments for work conducted between March 17, 2006, and the present are being sent along with this final report.

Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):

First Year Deliverables

The following is a list of deliverables that have been completed between March 16, 2005, and March 15, 2006. This list and all the supporting documentation to document progress during the first year were provided in a progress report submitted in the spring of 2006.

Deliverables and Outputs During 2005–2006.

Dioxins.

  1. Mass balance surveying dioxins’ major environmental sources, pathways, and sinks to the NY/NJ Harbor watershed. This step included the identification of the watershed’s dioxin sources to all media, including atmospheric deposition of trans-boundary inputs to the watershed system.

    2. This task was completed during the first year. [Mass Balance Report: “An Assessment of Inputs and Outputs of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds for the New York—New Jersey Harbor and Its Watershed.”]

  2. Develop Industrial Ecology Assessment. Survey regional dioxin sources from industrial, commercial, and other anthropogenic activities by using national and regional census data, Toxic Release Inventory, and the Envirofacts Data Warehouse. Verify estimates on number of establishments and use of current technologies through regional business directories, trade associations’ reports, other published industrial and commercial statistics, and Yellow Pages database. Use demographic and sector analysis, including consumer track and surveys, to gather information on the household sector and consumption and disposal activities. Identify the potential for dioxin releases during product usage (e.g., pentachlorophenol-treated wood), disposal (e.g., bleached paper), or waste transfers (e.g., bottom ash, sludge).

    3. This task has been completed.

    The report “Pollution Prevention and Management Strategies for Dioxins in the NY/NJ Harbor” (Final Report) addressed and completed the following proposed deliverables.

  3. Review pathways – combustion processes, chemical manufacturing, metallurgical process, energy generation, and waste incineration. Identify what processes or products are more likely to have copper or other metals that could catalyze dioxin formation.
  4. Develop list of intervention measures – discuss all leverage points in the generation/usage/disposal chain, favoring pollution prevention at the source and other preventive measures.
  5. Categorize system-wide measures (clean technologies, process modification, re-engineering, material integration, best management practices, and waste minimization) with the potential to reduce dioxin generation and releases.
  6. Identify social practices, consumption and disposal patterns, as well as institutional constraints that prevent the deployment of new technologies, best management implementation, or resource-use efficiencies, all associated with dioxin abatement.
  7. Engage various stakeholder sectors involved in the generation and prevention of dioxins in a consultation process leading to pollution prevention and best management recommendations.
  8. Identify actors in the implementation phase of recommended abatement strategies for dioxin.

PAHs

The following list of proposed deliverables was completed during the first year, as can be demonstrated in our various reports, including:

  1. Mass balance surveying PAHs major environmental sources, pathways, and sinks to the NY/NJ Harbor watershed. This step included the identification of the watershed’s PAHs sources to all media, including sediments within the harbor.

    2. This task was completed by spring 2006. [Mass Balances on Selected Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary].

  2. Develop Industrial Ecology Assessment. Survey all regional sources of PAHs from industrial, commercial, and other anthropogenic activities. Use similar analytical tools and databases as for the dioxins research (see above).

    3. This task was completed during the first year. [Industrial Ecology Assessment for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the New York/New Jersey Harbor].

    In addition, the draft report “Pollution Prevention and Management Strategies for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the New York/New Jersey Harbor” addresses and completed the following deliverables:

  3. Develop list of source reduction measures.
  4. Identify system-wide measures (clean technologies, process modification, re-engineering, material integration, best management practices, and waste minimization) with the potential to reduce PAHs production and releases.
  5. Identify social practices, consumption and disposal patterns, as well as institutional constraints that prevent the deployment of new technologies, best management implementation, or resource use efficiencies, all associated with PAHs abatement.

    6. Second Year Deliverables

    This section has also been structured in terms of the work on dioxins and PAHs. It offers a detailed list of deliverables that have been completed during the second year of the grant (starting on March 16, 2006). These deliverables correspond to those originally proposed under the grant contract.

    Deliverables and Outputs During 2006–2007.

    Dioxins.

  6. Publish a Dioxins report with strategies for pollution prevention for the NY/NJ Harbor. The report “Pollution Prevention and Management Strategies for Dioxins in the New York/ New Jersey Harbor” was published in August 2006. An electronic copy of the report has been posted to our website and is available from http://www.nyas.org/programs/harbor.asp exit EPA [completed].
  7. Distribute report to regional and national stakeholders and organizations working on watershed management and toxic release reductions. We have distributed the dioxins report broadly to our Harbor Consortium members as well as to a distribution list that we have composed over the years, including a wide array of agencies and institutions, legislative bodies, and some international organizations [completed].
  8. Present research findings on Dioxins and lessons learned at workshops and meetings at the regional and national level [completed].

    9. We have presented findings on dioxins at various outreach meetings, including:

    1. Annual Society for Environmental Toxicology (SETAC) Conference - November 2006 (Maryland)
    2. New Jersey chapter of SETAC; meeting spring 2007
    3. Earth Institute Seminars on Sustainable Development; Columbia University, NY, October 12, 2006
    4. Binational Toxics Strategy Group, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region V and Environment Canada; Chicago, December 6, 2006
    5. Bard High School and New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) Collaboration: A Multicultural Perspective on the Watersheds of New York City and Shanghai: Students and Researchers from China and the U.S. Analyze the Current State of the Hudson and Huangpu Rivers; New York Academy of Sciences, NYC, February 9, 2007.

    In addition, we have presented our findings at various other community outreach meetings, including the Rockland County Conservation Society; the NYC Partnership for Parks, and Community Board # 9.

    PAHs

    The following expected deliverables on PAHs were completed during the second year (starting in March 2006).

  9. Form Action Group for PAHs, including experts on various aspects pertaining to persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals. This group was formed from members of the Harbor Consortium and provided research guidance to Academy staff, as well as critical perspective and important data.
  10. Involve all relevant stakeholders to develop source reduction strategies for PAHs. In order to guarantee that all relevant stakeholders were involved and consulted regarding P2 strategies for PAHs, Academy staff organized various consultation meetings, in particular with representatives of two key sectors (creosote and coal tar sealants). The following consultations were held:

    11. Creosote. In order to consult with all affected parties regarding the issue of creosote, we held two meetings, one on October 27, 2006, and another one on February 28, 2007.

    In addition, Academy staff and the Chair of the Harbor Consortium met with representatives of the Creosote Council and their legal advisors on January 19, 2007, to hear their concerns regarding our research. They claim that it is wrong not to conduct risk assessments, which is the usual way they expect to demonstrate that there are no impacts on the environment from the product they represent. However, minimizing risks to biota and ecosystems is not the only reason why our region wants to reduce inputs of contaminants to the harbor. For example, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, as well as for the Army Corp of Engineers, are engaged in dredging and deepening of navigational channels and benefit from reduced inputs of contaminants, including PAHs, to the sediments of the harbor. Contaminated sediments must be treated and this is an expensive operation. Our approach emphasizes material flow analyses and, with respect to the NY/NJ Harbor, a mass balance assessment, which has indicated that new loadings of PAHs are entering the harbor every year. This is a sufficient reason to trigger actions to decrease their input. We explained this to Creosote Council representatives.

    Coal Tar Sealants. Similarly, two meetings were held on this issue; including a meeting on November 6, 2006 and a second one on March 30, 2007.

  11. Publish and distribute PAHs report with strategies for pollution prevention for the NY/NJ Harbor. The final draft of the PAHs report, including strategies for PAHs pollution prevention and abatement, were presented to the Harbor Consortium during its spring meeting, 2007. The consortium deliberated and approved the document. To ensure that every member of the consortium (including those not in attendance) had an opportunity to reflect on the document and comment, we provided a comment period. Upon the comments deadline, we developed the Final Document titled: Pollution Prevention and Management Strategies for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the New York/New Jersey Harbor.” With the publishing of this report, we consider this task as completed.
  12. Present research findings on PAHs and lessons learned at workshops and meetings at the regional and national level [completed]. We have presented, and will continue to present, our findings on PAHs. For example, we have presented our findings at the New Jersey Chapter meeting of SETAC, spring 2007, as well as at the Bi-annual conference of the U.S. Society of Ecological Economics (USSEE), Pace University, June 26, 2007.

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 7 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

Industrial Ecology, mass balance, Pollution Prevention, watershed management, , Sustainable Industry/Business, Scientific Discipline, Environmental Engineering, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Monitoring, water quality, waste reduction, pollution prevention opportunity assessment, industrial ecology, decision making, land use
Relevant Websites:

http://www.nyas.org/programs/harbor_materials.asp exit EPA

Progress and Final Reports:
2005 Progress Report
Original Abstract

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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