Contaminated Site Clean-up Information (clu-in): Internet Seminar Audio Archives

Federal Facility Five-Year Review Webinar is a two-hour webinar course that provides an overview of Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) five-year reviews. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:Understand Five-Year Review purpose and regulatory contextLearn how to prepare and conduct a five-year reviewIdentify the information and data needed to support a protectiveness statementAddress emerging contaminants and options available to ensure that the federal agencies address these contaminantsIdentify the different scenarios when EPA makes an independent finding of the protectiveness of the remedyLearn about similarities and differences between federal and private site five-year reviewsThe instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, case studies, and quizzes. There will also be an opportunity for participants to ask questions. The target audience for this course are federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on

The U.S. EPA Office of Mountains, Deserts and Plains has launched a new initiative - the Environmental Monitoring and Remediation Technology Assessment Initiative (EMRTAI) - that is focused on innovative technologies to recover critical minerals from waste materials at Superfund legacy hard rock mine and mineral processing sites. The goal of EMRTAI, which is being developed to support stakeholders across the mining industry, is to generate credible data through a quality-driven technology assessment program to promote advancement of innovative technologies and informed decision-making. At present, there are nearly 100 mining or mine-related sites on EPA's Superfund National Priorities List (NPL), and many more sites throughout the U.S. in variable stages of remediation. EMRTAI will advance EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment by assisting technology developers and vendors with performance assessments that target site clean-up and critical minerals recovery technologies as part of sustaina

This training class builds on the earlier information for treatment technologies presented in the PFAS 101 CLU-IN training. It provides more in-depth information regarding considerations for implementing integrated PFAS treatment technologies and remediation strategies. This training introduces the concept that achieving site remedial objectives will likely necessitate the implementation of multiple treatment technologies and remediation strategies (i.e., an integrated remedial strategy). Specifically, this training uses a hypothetical conceptual site model to frame the discussion of remedial approaches for PFAS impacted source area soil, source area groundwater, and more dilute groundwater plumes. The training concludes with a discussion of select field implemented and developing disposal and destructive technologies for managing treatment residuals. Resources and further details for the topics included in this training are in the published PFAS-1 guidance document in Sections 12 and 15 along with referenc

Resolving Issues Before Formal Dispute is a two-hour webinar course that identifies less formal options to address conflict before going to dispute under a federal facility agreement. This webinar provides project management tips and techniques to address disagreements early in the process . By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:Identify factors that contribute to conflict when working with team members from different agencies;Learn how to prepare a team to handle conflict;Explore tips and techniques to improve communication and come to resolution; and,Understand when formal dispute should be considered.The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, group discussions, case studies, and quizzes. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy course

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its contractors performing oversight at Superfund Sites review numerical models developed to simulate contaminant transport. An analytical transport model could be used to check the numerical model results but a practical modeling tool based on a 3D analytical solute transport model is not publicly or commercially available. The roles of an analytical model in Superfund oversight are to simulate the general plume behavior; guide the development of, and provide a check for, a more complex numerical solute transport model; and evaluate smaller scale transport such as during natural gradient tracer tests. EPA tasked APTIM to develop an analytical model for solute transport in a three-dimensional aquifer of finite thickness with uniform flow, dual porosity, sorption, sequential decay, and time-dependent source. The new model was verified against existing analytical models for special cases and against numerical models MT3DMS and RT3D, and published in two journal pap

This webinar will be focused on MR-QAPP Toolkit, Module 2 - Remedial Actions that was published in March 2023. Presentations will cover Worksheet 11 and how Data Quality Objectives (DQOs) are presented in this new toolkit as well as the new Measurement Performance Criteria (MPCs) and Measurement Quality Objectives (MQOs). There will also be a discussion of managing data deliverables using Delivery Units and Survey Units, and the related Data Usability Assessments (DUAs). Presentations will be suitable for the varied M2S2 webinar audience, which typically includes government, regulator, and contractor attendees, and there will be opportunities for questions and discussion. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/MR-QAPP-2_060524/

The ITRC Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR-1) Training is intended for state regulators and stakeholders who may not be familiar with the opportunities and challenges associated with MAR. It provides a basic understanding of MAR concepts, along with case studies, that showcase examples of successful MAR applications. For those who are familiar with MAR, the training gives an overview of the components of the MAR process along with the important considerations associated with each component necessary for the design and implementation of a MAR project. It is important to understand that MAR is an area of active research and expanding practical applications, and that this management process is continuing to evolve with time.The combination of climate change and growing demand for fresh water has resulted in an increase in the vulnerability and scarcity of freshwater supplies around the world. The need for fresh water to grow crops and provide for the welfare of the general population, economic growth, and ecosystem

This training class builds on the earlier information for fate and transport and site characterization presented in the PFAS 101 CLU-IN training. It provides more in-depth information for fate and transport, site characterization, source identification and some introductory information on environmental forensics. These topics will be presented along with options and a framework for data visualization. This training will focus largely on PFAS fate and transport in groundwater. The goal is to provide detailed information about the inputs practitioners can use to develop a robust conceptual site model to help understand fate and transport at PFAS sites, and how to gather evidence of multiple sources. Resources and further details for the topics included in this training are in the ITRC Guidance Document (PFAS-1) in Sections 2.6, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 15 along with referenced tables. Learning Objectives: Understand fate and transport processes that are unique to PFAS due to their physical and chemical properties

To help meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund program's mandate to protect human health and the environment from current and potential threats posed by uncontrolled hazardous substance (both radiological and non-radiological), pollutant, or contaminant releases, the Superfund program has developed a human health evaluation process as part of its remedial response program. The process of gathering and assessing human health risk information is adapted from well-established chemical risk assessment principles and procedures. Within the Superfund remediation framework, radioactive contamination is dealt with in a consistent manner as with chemical contamination, except to account for the technical differences between radionuclides and chemicals. This consistency is important since at every radioactively contaminated site being addressed under Superfund's primary program for long-term cleanup, the National Priorities List (NPL), chemical contamination is also present. To view this archive

In 2023, the ITRC Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) Framework was published to help environmental regulatory agencies and other stakeholders identify, evaluate, and manage CEC's while acknowledging uncertainties in their environmental fate and transport, receptor exposure, and/or toxicity. Such an approach can be conducive to improved allocation of regulatory response resources and provide a foundation for communicating potential risk to stakeholders. The ITRC framework is comprised of a white paper and four associated fact sheets. In the white paper, CEC are defined as: "substances and microorganisms including physical, chemical, biological, or radiological materials known or anticipated in the environment, that may pose newly identified risks to human health or the environment." The framework is meant to help environmental regulatory agencies and other stakeholders by providing examples of CEC monitoring programs and guiding the user through the process of identifying CEC key characteristics, how to c

The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) is sponsoring a Progress in Research webinar series, hosted by CLU-IN, to showcase federally funded researchers developing curricula and educational programs focused on emergent technologies in the sphere of occupational health and safety. The three-part series will highlight researchers' projects, accomplishments, and demonstrate research products — included in this group of researchers are SRP's seven R25 grant recipients as well as participation from the NIEHS Worker Training Program (WTP) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH). To learn about and register for the other sessions in this webinar series, please see the SRP website. University of Utah | Biological Hazard Site Training in Emerging Technologies (BioSTET) for Health and Safety: Biological hazards present an ongoing threat to occupational health, especially by workers during site cleanup. Research on emerging technol

In 2020, ITRC recognized that In situ remediation technologies using amendment injections have advanced to mainstream acceptance and offer a competitive advantage over many forms of ex situ treatment of soil and groundwater. Developing a detailed site-specific strategy is absolutely critical to the success of such in situ remedies. These strategies include conducting a thorough site characterization that will allow development of a detailed Conceptual Site Model (CSM) to guide critical analysis of subsurface features and improving remediation effectiveness. In the interest of developing expedited solutions, many past in situ remediation projects have been executed based on an incomplete understanding of the hydrogeology, geology, and contaminant distribution and mass. Some of these sites have undergone multiple rounds of in situ injections but have not advanced to closure. Better strategies and minimum design standards are required to decrease uncertainty and improve remedy effectiveness. In an effort to ov

Determining ARARs at Federal Facility Sites is a two-hour webinar course that will highlight how to determine Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs) in decision-documents based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance, identify commonly used ARARs, and when to involve partners. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:Understand the general procedures for ARAR identification, analysis, and documentation;Learn about ARARs under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Section 121(d) and associated EPA guidance;Identify the three types of ARARs and how they are determined; and,Explore CERCLA ARAR waiver criteria and the six waivers identified under CERCLA 121(d).The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture and quizzes. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. Ideally, students should have a basic understanding of

This training class builds on the earlier information for introductory PFAS topics presented in the PFAS 101 CLU-IN training. The ITRC PFAS Beyond the Basics class provides more information related to potential sources of PFAS in biosolids, implications of PFAS associated with land-applied biosolids, vadose zone fate and transport processes that likely govern biosolids releases, treatment/disposal options for PFAS-impacted biosolids, and regulatory considerations. Resources and further details for the topics included in this training are in the published PFAS-1 guidance document in Sections 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 17.3, and the Regulatory Programs Table. Learning Objectives: Biosolids and PFAS Fate and Transport in the Vadose ZoneSource Zone CharacteristicsVadose Zone Controls on MobilityField Scale Fate, Transport and UptakeCharacterization and TreatmentAdditional Biosolids Considerations and Summary To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu

The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) is sponsoring a Progress in Research webinar series, hosted by CLU-IN, to showcase federally funded researchers developing curricula and educational programs focused on emergent technologies in the sphere of occupational health and safety. The three-part series will highlight researchers' projects, accomplishments, and demonstrate research products — included in this group of researchers are SRP's seven R25 grant recipients as well as participation from the NIEHS Worker Training Program (WTP) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH). To learn about and register for the other sessions in this webinar series, please see the SRP website. University of Minnesota | The Interdisciplinary Training, Education and Research Activities for Assessing and Controlling Contaminants from Emerging Technologies (InTERACCT) Program: Rachael Jones, Ph.D., will describe the aims and progress made by t

In 2023, ITRC published the Sediment Cap Chemical Isolation Guidance to supplement the 2014 Contaminated Sediments Remediation Guidance with the goal of improving consistency in sediment cap performance outcomes. Sediment capping is a commonly selected remediation approach and numerous designs have been completed. Previous cap designs have been evaluated in multiple ways, and these varying approaches have led to some differences in selection of chemical design criteria, construction tolerance specifications, and monitoring/maintenance objectives for sites with similar characteristics and contaminants, leading to different expectations for long-term performance and reliability. The ITRC Sediment Cap Chemical Isolation Guidance provides a framework for the design, construction, and long-term monitoring of the chemical isolation function of sediment caps. The framework consists of an iterative design process informed by site-specific data that balances achievement of chemical design criteria, physical design co

The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) is sponsoring a Progress in Research webinar series, hosted by CLU-IN, to showcase federally funded researchers developing curricula and educational programs focused on emergent technologies in the sphere of occupational health and safety. The three-part series will highlight researchers' projects, accomplishments, and demonstrate research products — included in this group of researchers are SRP's seven R25 grant recipients as well as participation from the NIEHS Worker Training Program (WTP) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH). To learn about and register for the other sessions in this webinar series, please see the SRP website. City University of New York (CUNY) | New York Training Center for Emerging Technologies in Industrial Hygiene: Brian Pavilonis, Ph.D., and Homero Harari, Sc.D., will plan to discuss the work their grant has facilitated in support of training and resea

The ITRC Environmental Data Management Best Practices Team (EDMBP Team) prepared a series of guidance documents and case studies on best practices for all phases of EDM to address the need for guidance on managing large stores of environmental data. Environmental data management (EDM) is a broad field that encompasses all aspects of environmental research and regulation, from habitat studies and wildlife management plans to health advisories and remediation of hazardous waste sites. The EDMBP Team developed three Roundtable training sessions to support the Guidance Document and case studies. You are welcome to register for any of the three, but they do not build upon each other.Data Management: Real Life Application of Data Management Planning and Field Data Collection Best PracticesData Exchange: Best Practices for Exchanging Environmental DataData Quality: Best Practices for Achieving and Maintaining Quality within Environmental Data ManagementNow more than ever, there is a need to store, manage and interp

This training class builds on the earlier information for introductory PFAS topics presented in the PFAS 101 CLU-IN training. It provides more in-depth information for human health effects, ecological toxicity and ecological risk assessment, PFAS regulations, and AFFF alternatives and replacement. Resources and further details for the topics included in this training are in the published PFAS-1 guidance document in Sections 7, 8 and 17.2 along with referenced tables. Learning Objectives: Discuss new information on the health effects of categories of PFAS not previously addressed. We'll also talk about the recent use of data from epidemiology studies to develop toxicity factors and guidelines; describe how the U.S. EPA has recently used a mixtures approach to derive a proposed MCL for 4 PFAS. We'll discuss why certain agencies are regulating PFAS as a class, and give examples, and will also give brief updates on our understanding of the adverse effects of PFAS after inhalation or dermal exposure.Discuss P

This ITRC training course will build upon PFAS sampling and analysis information presented in the PFAS 101 CLU-IN training. The ITRC PFAS Beyond the Basics class provides in-depth information on preparing for and implementing sampling events. Some detailed information and case studies are presented for sampling surface water and PFAS-containing foam that can form and aggregate at the surface water-air interface. The training includes information about PFAS analysis and discusses alternative qualitative analytical techniques. The occurrence of PFAS in air information from the literature for outdoor air, indoor air, settled dust and precipitation is discussed. Resources and further details for the topics included in this training are in the ITRC Guidance Document (PFAS-1) in Sections 6, 11, 15, 16 and 17.1 along with referenced tables. Learning Objectives:Key elements that make sampling for PFAS different from other sampling events.Best practices for preparing and conducting a PFAS sampling event.Matrix-spec