tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78710545095334141152024-03-13T20:22:43.734-07:00Central Park Area Neighbors AssociationSteve Southwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138043376562658838noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871054509533414115.post-9149922504062138772012-05-05T17:20:00.000-07:002012-05-05T17:20:52.785-07:00CPANA Announces Funding for Community Projects<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lewisvilletexan.com/xoops/uploads/img4fa4adfab42b3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://lewisvilletexan.com/xoops/uploads/img4fa4adfab42b3.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Sarah Marcus, LISD</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Central Park Area Neighbors Association announces that it has recently funded $74,565 worth of projects in Southern Lewisville, using proceeds from its Community Fund. The money was raised when members of the group signed gas leases in mid-2009. The group was awarded $79,400 for use in a community project, paid by Cherokee Horn Production, LP, which was leasing mineral rights in the area. Under an agreement with CPANA's board, who negotiated a gas lease for the neighborhoods, Cherokee Horn donated $100 for every mineral lease signed in 75067 for a period of time. CPANA has previously used some of the fund to provide baseline air quality studies for Lewisville in anticipation of natural gas drilling and production activities.<br />
<br />
With grants to the City of Lewisville and the <a href="http://www.lisdef.com/html/news.php?id=78">Lewisville Educational Foundation</a>, which supports Lewisville ISD, the group will fund the following projects, all in Southern Lewisville:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>An expansion of an elementary school playground to accommodate kindergartners </li>
<li>School gardens at 5 schools </li>
<li>Equipment for an Early Childhood Center </li>
<li>A full-featured community-accessible WeatherBug weather station with HD camera and monitor</li>
<li>All-weather furniture for an outdoor teaching environment </li>
<li>New electronic equipment and technology for a middle-school band hall. </li>
<li>An outdoor science lab. </li>
<li>Test preparation software for first-generation college-bound students to help them achieve higher ACT/SAT/PSAT scores </li>
<li>A dozen park benches for Central Park </li>
</ul>
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<br />
<b> Schools receiving grants are: </b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Lillie J. Jackson Early Childhood Development Center </li>
<li>Marshall Durham Middle School</li>
<li>Creekside Elementary School </li>
<li>Lakeland Elementary School </li>
<li>Hedrick Middle School </li>
<li>Lewisville Elementary School </li>
<li>Lewisville Learning Center </li>
<li>Parkway Elementary School </li>
<li>Lewisville High School </li>
</ul>
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<br />
The CPANA Board thanks all of the grant applicants for their time in providing us the opportunity to review their needs. CPANA received over $124,000 worth of requests through LISD alone, in addition to more than $500,000 worth of projects the City of Lewisville had previously pitched. Ultimately, the board had to choose the projects that it felt spread the benefit over our entire neighborhood area, were permanent and tangible, did the most good, and fit with the spirit of our organization.Steve Southwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138043376562658838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871054509533414115.post-71326539649797118012011-09-18T12:15:00.000-07:002011-09-18T12:23:33.389-07:00CPANA Releases Results of Year-Long Lewisville Air Quality BenchmarkIn the Fall of 2010, the Central Park Area Neighbors Association (CPANA) Board of Directors responded to citizen concerns about the air quality effects of proposed gas drilling in Southern Lewisville by approving a study that would undertake some baseline readings of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) over the course of a full year. The study, which would hopefully (at the time) be concluded prior to the commencement of gas drilling activity would give an estimate of the amount of VOCs in the air before gas activity, in order to provide a basis for comparison after gas activity.<br />
<br />
<b>Results Summary</b><br />
Most of the volatile organic compounds detected in this study were picked up in quantities less than 0.1 parts per billion (ppb). The highest maximum concentration of any substance was only 0.49 ppb. The highest concentration for benzene in any given month was 0.27 ppb, well below the 1.4 ppb long-term effects screening level (LTESL) established by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The highest monthly VOC load for any given sample was 1.81 ppb for all substances detected, and averaged only 0.82 ppb. Although the levels detected were very low, the data suggest a difference between the two general areas being surveyed, with one area showing about twice the VOC load. In any case, no compounds came close to any air monitoring comparison values (AMCVs).<br />
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<br />
<a title="View CPANA Baseline VOC Study Final on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/65414301/CPANA-Baseline-VOC-Study-Final" style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block; text-decoration: underline;">CPANA Baseline VOC Study Final</a><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/65414301/content?start_page=1&view_mode=list&access_key=key-zd6pm66whv1jhjmrtw8" data-auto-height="true" data-aspect-ratio="0.914549653579677" scrolling="no" id="doc_29991" width="100%" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">(function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })();</script>Steve Southwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138043376562658838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871054509533414115.post-38053255832357212352011-06-30T21:39:00.000-07:002011-06-30T21:39:42.240-07:00Air Monitoring Results for MayAs we've written previously, the Central Park Area Neighbors Association is undergoing a year-long study of air quality in Southern Lewisville in anticipation of natural gas well development in the area. The group hopes to get a good benchmark of where the air quality is before drilling, so that any changes after drilling can be noted. The tests attached are for volatile organic compounds.<br />
<br />
Nothing in the results appeared to exceed any air monitoring comparison values. More commentary will be provided at the end of the study, or if something comes up abnormal.<br />
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CPANA monitored two locations in these results: <br />
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<a href="http://www.whosplayin.com/xoops/uploads/47fcc8ca-4440-8bf1.pdf">May 10 - June 10 - Box 210 (Near future Ingram well site) and Box 99 (Near future B&H well site)</a><br />
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Benzene levels for both boxes came in well below TCEQ long-term effects screening levels (ESLs).<br />
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Total levels of VOCs showed to be about twice as high at the B&H site (Box 99 - 1.19 ppb) than the Ingram site (Box 210 - .55 ppb), which is expected since the B&H site is closer to a fuel station, and busy S.H. 121 Business. This variance in background levels is part of the reason CPANA is conducting baseline air monitoring.<br />
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CPANA has increased the testing to encompass more testing locations, and will soon begin testing for reduced sulfur compounds in the air.<br />
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CPANA is looking for another location near the proposed B&H well site off Southwest Parkway between Misty Ln. and S.H. 121 Business. Contact ses@whosplayin.com if you can volunteer your property.Steve Southwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138043376562658838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871054509533414115.post-80601696122354150182011-05-09T06:49:00.000-07:002011-05-09T06:49:18.229-07:00CPANA Releases Air Monitoring Results for MarchCPANA is releasing the March air monitoring results. The tests attached are for volatile organic compounds.<br />
<br />
Nothing in the results appeared to exceed any air monitoring comparison values. More commentary will be provided at the end of the study, or if something comes up abnormal.<br />
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Beginning March 5, 2011, CPANA monitored two locations: <br />
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<a href="http://www.whosplayin.com/xoops/uploads/47fcc8ca-ca4a-48e5.pdf">March 5 - April 7 - Box 210</a> (Near future Ingram well site)<br />
<a href="http://www.whosplayin.com/xoops/uploads/47fcc8ca-ca7b-c811.pdf">March 5 - April 7 - Box 99</a> (Near future B&H well site)<br />
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Benzene levels for both boxes came in well below TCEQ long-term effects screening levels (ESLs).<br />
<br />
Total levels of VOCs showed to be about twice as high at the B&H site (Box 99 - 1.81 ppb) than the Ingram site (Box 210 - .93 ppb), which is expected since the B&H site is closer to a fuel station, and busy S.H. 121 Business. This variance in background levels is part of the reason CPANA is conducting baseline air monitoring.Steve Southwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138043376562658838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871054509533414115.post-40249741195374179802011-03-22T20:44:00.000-07:002011-03-22T20:44:15.958-07:00CPANA Releases More Air Monitoring Results<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">As we've written previously, the <a href="http://cpana-lewisville.blogspot.com/" rel="external" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333366; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="">Central Park Area Neighbors Association</a> is undergoing a year-long study of air quality in Southern Lewisville in anticipation of natural gas well development in the area. The group hopes to get a good benchmark of where the air quality is before drilling, so that any changes after drilling can be noted. The tests attached are for volatile organic compounds.<br />
<br />
Nothing in the results appeared to exceed any air monitoring comparison values. More commentary will be provided at the end of the study, or if something comes up abnormal.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.whosplayin.com/xoops/uploads/47a4c222-6ac4-2845.pdf" rel="external" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333366; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="">January 3 - February 5, 2011</a><br />
<a href="http://www.whosplayin.com/xoops/uploads/47a4c222-6b08-b44d.pdf" rel="external" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333366; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="">February 5 - March 5, 2011</a><br />
<br />
<br />
CPANA has increased the testing to encompass more testing locations, and will soon begin testing for reduced sulfur compounds in the air.</span>Steve Southwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138043376562658838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871054509533414115.post-70289490589853445592011-01-13T19:41:00.000-08:002011-01-13T19:41:04.572-08:00CPANA Board to Increase Air Quality Efforts in Lewisville<div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">As you know, for the past 6 months, CPANA has been doing some baseline air quality testing in one of our neighborhoods in Lewisville near what will be the Ingram drill site. The purpose of testing before the drilling begins is so that we can gain an understanding of what our air quality is currently like, so that we can tell whether gas drilling affects it later. It's our goal to provide the neighborhoods with some reassurance that the air quality is not going to go bad without us finding out very quickly and taking action. The drillers know we're doing this, and we hope that gives them incentive to do things in the cleanest, safest manner possible. (We post the results on <a href="http://cpana.org/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">CPANA.org</a>, and a fresh set will be there shortly)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">We've recently had two developments that affect our CPANA neighborhoods: Titan has filed for a permit for the B&H well site, which is near S.H. 121 and Southwest Parkway. Williams has been approved for 16 wells and a wastewater collection facility South of F.M. 3040. Predominant wind patterns here are from the South, so if there is any pollution from those wells, we would want to be able to detect it, and be able to distinguish it from any that would come from the Titan wells in our neighborhoods.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">So, tonight, our CPANA board unanimously approved extending our testing in order to cover these areas. If you own property that abuts F.M. 3040 or near the B&H site on Southwest Parkway, we'd like to hear from you if you would allow us to put a testing box on your property.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">Further, following the lead of neighboring Flower Mound, which is dealing with some air quality issues in some neighborhoods, we are going to begin doing some testing for sulfur compounds just to be on the safe side.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">In all of this, we're trying to use the most cost-effective methods of testing that would reasonably give us useful data. So far we have only spent about $500 for testing out of $1,000 authorized this summer, and we have authorized about $2,000 more, which we hope to be able to pay for with interest earnings from the community fund. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">Lastly, we are considering adding new board members to CPANA to bring our number back up, since we currently only have 6. If any of our members are interested in joining the CPANA board, let us hear from you. In fact, we want to hear from you about whatever concerns you may have over the gas drilling, one way or the other.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">On behalf of the CPANA board,</div>Steve Southwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138043376562658838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871054509533414115.post-55429922089766851102011-01-13T08:00:00.000-08:002011-01-13T19:34:49.167-08:00CPANA Releases Air Monitoring Data<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">CPANA continues its year-long study of air quality in a Lewisville neighborhood prior to the entrance of natural gas drilling.<br />
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Although CPANA has not released any narrative yet for months 4 - 6, it is releasing the data now in the interest of maintaining openness, and will follow up with some explanation at a later time. Benzene, toluene, and xylene have all been found in quantities well below long-term effects screening levels. Samples are taken using passive diffusion tubes which soak up a sample of air over the course of a month, and when analyzed give a rough average of contamination levels. CPANA looks for benzene levels and the top nine other VOCs found in the sample tube.<br />
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Month 4: <a href="http://www.whosplayin.com/xoops/uploads/477bc6b2-119a-5793.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: transparent;"><b>9/19/2010 - 10/18/2010</b></span></span> </a><br />
Month 5: <a href="http://www.whosplayin.com/xoops/uploads/477bc6b2-11ca-1f4b.pdf">10/18/2010 - 11/16/2010</a><br />
Month 6: <a href="http://www.whosplayin.com/xoops/uploads/477bc6b2-1255-0e3d.pdf">11/16/2010 - 12/18/2010</a><br />
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CPANA Board members will meet tonight to discuss possible expansion of its monitoring program to include additional locations and analytes.</span>Steve Southwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138043376562658838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871054509533414115.post-76025152727280752992010-10-29T22:30:00.000-07:002010-10-29T22:30:36.674-07:00CPANA Gets Third Air Quality Benchmark Results<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">As we've reported before, CPANA is in the process of conducting <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_864308403">a </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://cpana-lewisville.blogspot.com/2010/08/message-to-cpana-members-and-community.html">year-long pre-drilling air quality benchmark study</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">. We recently received results from the third month of monitoring.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
CPANA uses a stainless steel sorbent tube placed in a secured location outdoors in Southern Lewisville, just down-wind from a future drill site. The tube passively soaks up contaminants from the air and is exposed for about a month. After exposure, the tube is sealed up and shipped to a laboratory where it is analyzed by thermal desorption - gas chromatography / mass spectrometry. The group is looking for the concentration of Benzene, and the top 9 other volatile organic compounds (VOCs).<br />
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The following compounds and concentrations were found for the sampling period of 9/19/2010 - 10/18/2010:<br />
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- <strong>Benzene</strong> was not detected. The limits of detection for this sample puts benzene below 0.05 ppb.<br />
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- <b>Isopropyl Alcohol</b> was detected at 0.23 ppb. This is standard rubbing alcohol used for medical procedures and as a household solvent or astringent. It can also be used as a fuel additive.<br />
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- <b>Acetic Acid</b> was found at 0.15 ppb. Commonly known as vinegar, but also used in industry as a feedstock. It can be found in nature as a fermentation byproduct of fruit spoilage. It may be used as a household cleaner or used in food preparation.<br />
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- <b>Cyclohexanone</b> was found at 0.13 ppb. A chemical precursor to the manufacture of nylon, this compound is a product of the oxidation of cyclohexane. LTESL (health) = 20ppb, under review.<br />
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- <b>p-Xylene</b> was found at 0.10 ppb. This solvent is similar to Benzene, but with two additional methyl groups added. The ortho, meta, and para isomers (the o, m, or p prefix) indicate where on the molecule the methyl groups are added. According to CDC, xylene is also found in automobile exhaust, and comes from industrial sources. LTESL (health) = 42 ppb for all 3 isomers.<br />
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- <strong>Pinene</strong> was found at .07 ppb. (This is a natural compound from pine trees, which are located near our sample box)<br />
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- <b>Dodecane</b> was found at 0.03 ppb. This is a 12 carbon alkane hydrocarbon that is a component of diesel and aviation fuel. LTESL is 350 µg/m3<br />
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- <b>Isocyanato Cyclohexane</b> was found at 0.03 ppb. A yellowish liquid with an irritating odor. Insoluble in water. Flash point 127°F. Very toxic by inhalation, skin absorption and ingestion. Used to make pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals. LTESL (health) is 0.4 ppb.<br />
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- <b>Tridecane</b> was found at 0.03 ppb. This is a 13 carbon alkane hydrocarbon that is a component of diesel and aviation fuel. It is also naturally produced by some stinkbugs as a defense. (Note that our sample box has screen to keep insects out, and we check for insects when we change tubes). LTESL is 350 µg/m3<br />
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No other compounds were detected in this sample. Concentrations are given in parts per billion (ppb). Overall MOU (margin of uncertainty) is +/- 16.8%. <a href="http://www.whosplayin.com/xoops/uploads/47615076-a9c7-3c09.pdf"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: transparent;"><b>Laboratory results are attached.</b></span></span></a></span>Steve Southwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138043376562658838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871054509533414115.post-21064982282600099332010-09-04T09:19:00.000-07:002010-09-04T09:19:20.272-07:00CPANA Gets Second Lewisville Air Quality Screening Results<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><img align="right" alt="" src="http://www.whosplayin.com/xoops/modules/news/images/topics/47fc9d5dbfa04244.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" />Central Park Area Neighbors Association (CPANA) this week received the <a href="http://www.whosplayin.com/xoops/uploads/47615076-d7e4-1614.pdf">second set of air quality screening results</a> in its planned year-long benchmarking of Lewisville ambient air prior to the beginning of gas drilling activities in Southern Lewisville.<br />
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You can read more about the sampling and testing methodology in <a href="http://cpana-lewisville.blogspot.com/2010/08/cpana-gets-first-lewisville-air-quality.html">CPANA's post on the first sample.</a><br />
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No concentrations were found to exceed any health-based comparison values. For conservative comparison, we used TCEQ's Long Term ESLs (LTESL)<br />
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- <strong>Benzene</strong> was detected at .08 ppb. LTESL is 1.4 ppb<br />
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- <b>Pinene</b> was the most abundent VOC detected, at .14 ppb. (This is a natural compound from pine trees, which are located near our sample box)<br />
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- <b>Hexadecane</b> was found at .10 ppb. This compound is a 16-carbon alkane also known as cetane. Hexadecane is a diesel component or additive. (LTESL 350 ug/m3 - no ppb value available)<br />
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- <b>Dichlorodifluoromethane</b> was found at .09 ppb, though our laboratory is not accredited on that compound. This CFC is otherwise known as Freon 12 or R-12. It was used in vehicle air conditioners made before 1994, and its manufacture has been banned. LTESL is 1000 ppb.<br />
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- <b>Toluene</b> was found at 0.06 ppb. Toluene is a solvent, but EPA says the principal source of toluene in ambient air is automotive emissions. LTESL is 330 ppb.<br />
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- <b>Heptadecane</b> was found at 0.06 ppb. TCEQ doesn't list a ppb LTESL for heptadecane, but the long-term ESL is listed as 10 ug/m3. We calculate our sample was about 0.56 ug/m3.<br />
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- <b>p-Xylene</b> was found at 0.06 ppb. LTESL based on odor is 42 ppb. STESL (health) is 58 ppb.<br />
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- <b>Octadecane</b> was found at 0.05 ppb. LTESL is 10 ug/m3<br />
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- <b>o-Xylene</b> was found at 0.05 ppb. LTESL based on odor is 42 ppb. STESL (health) is 380 ppb.<br />
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- <b>Pentadecane</b> was found at 0.04 ppb. No LTESL is found at this point, but we'll research this further. Pentadecane is a component of diesel fuel, and a fragrance agent.<br />
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Note that other compounds likely were present, but only the top 10 found are being quantified in our screening, and the laboratory has limits of detection. So any other compounds would have been at concentrations lower than the 0.04 ppb of Pentadecane.</span></span></span></div>Steve Southwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138043376562658838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871054509533414115.post-82454722273134685052010-08-16T22:04:00.000-07:002010-08-18T07:25:37.908-07:00CPANA Gets First Lewisville Air Quality Screening Results<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">CPANA today received the <a href="http://www.whosplayin.com/xoops/uploads/47615076-ca3e-a14d.pdf" rel="external" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333366; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="">first set of results</a> from a planned year-long screening of air quality before natural gas drilling takes place.<br />
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We are using an independent laboratory to analyze diffusion tubes which are exposed to the air near one of the proposed future drill sites. By getting a good benchmark of current air quality, we hope to be able to detect any changes in quality after drilling and gas production begins.<br />
<br />
<b>Initial Results:</b><br />
The tube was analyzed for Benzene, and the top nine other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found.<br />
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Benzene was below the limits of detection, which is 3.9 ng for the tube. According to the lab, this limit would be equivalent to about <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">0.076 parts per billion (ppb), which is well below the 1.4 ppb long-term effects screening level, and the short-term 54 ppb ESL. Because benzene was not detected, we know that our levels are below 0.076 ppb.</span><br />
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Only three other compounds were detected, and none exceeded long term or short term effects screening levels (ESLs):<br />
- 1R-.alpha.-Pinene at 0.15 ppb (Long term ESL is 1.0 ppb)<br />
- Toluene at 0.03 ppb (Long term ESL is 330 ppb)<br />
- m/p- Xylene at 0.02 ppb (Long term ESL is 42 ppb)<br />
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Toluene and Xylene are both solvents used in a variety of products, and part of the BTEX (Benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene,xylene) quartet of hazardous chemicals that are sometimes emitted from natural gas operations.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">According to an <a href="http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/toluene.html">EPA fact sheet on Toluene</a>, automobile emissions are the principal source of toluene emissions in ambient air. <a href="http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs71.html">According to CDC</a>, xylene is also found in automobile exhaust, and comes from industrial sources. The CPANA air sampling station for this test is located away from idling automobiles and well setback from nearby streets.<br />
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Pinene is a natural compound produced by pine trees, some of which surround the testing site.<br />
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<b>Sampling Method</b><br />
Samples are taken by using a diffusion tube exposed to the ambient air in a locked, ventilated box near the proposed drill site. Diffusion tubes are stainless steel tubes containing a sorbent material that passively soaks up air contaminants over a specified time period. The tubes are maintained with a strict chain of custody, installed under seal and witnessed by at least two CPANA board members. The completed sample is mailed to an analytical laboratory with no ties to any of the local natural gas operators.<br />
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The initial sample was taken from 6/23/2010 - 7/24/2010. Overall MOU (margin of uncertainty) is +/- 16.8%. The laboratory is certified for the analytical work, but ppb numbers take into account exposure times provided by CPANA, and for which they have no control.<br />
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<a href="http://www.whosplayin.com/xoops/uploads/47615076-ca3e-a14d.pdf">Laboratory results are attached.</a></span>Steve Southwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138043376562658838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871054509533414115.post-66774068603986951352010-06-02T16:06:00.000-07:002010-08-16T16:10:31.093-07:00Message to CPANA Members and Community Stakeholders<div style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small; line-height: 1.22em;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;">In response to the concerns of our members, and recent news reports and investigations in our area regarding the impact of oil and gas development on air quality, the Board of Directors of the Central Park Area Neighbors Association is announcing CPANA’s intent to conduct air quality monitoring, beginning as soon as possible.<span style="line-height: 1.22em;"> </span>Even though the wells slated for our neighborhoods are not yet even permitted, we feel it is important to obtain quality readings of our current air quality so that we have a valid base-line to compare with once the wells are drilled.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;"><o style="font-size: 0px; line-height: 1.22em;"></o></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;">CPANA will utilize a professional analytical laboratory, which will provide sampling devices to trap air contaminants such as volatile organic compounds.<span style="line-height: 1.22em;"> </span>Unlike some of the recent snapshot tests conducted by the state and some municipalities, we will be using a method that samples for 2 – 4 weeks, so that a good representative average can be obtained.<span style="line-height: 1.22em;"> </span>Samples will be taken near the proposed drill site, and protocols will be used so that our members can have confidence in the results.<span style="line-height: 1.22em;"> </span>We will sample each month, throughout all four seasons, using the prevailing wind data for each month as a basis for placement down wind from the proposed and eventual drill sites.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;"><o style="font-size: 0px; line-height: 1.22em;"></o></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;">Each month, the laboratory will provide readings for benzene, plus the top nine other organic compounds found in the air – which may vary from month to month.<span style="line-height: 1.22em;"> </span>CPANA will post its readings publicly for its members to review.<span style="line-height: 1.22em;"> </span>Numbers will be given in comparison to long term effects screening levels (ESLs) as defined by TCEQ and other government agencies.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;"><o style="font-size: 0px; line-height: 1.22em;"></o></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;">The CPANA Board feels that this modest expenditure will serve the community and encourage oil and gas operators in the area to use best practices to avoid polluting our air, as well as provide us with early warning if the gas operators should fall short.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;">Although we will not be able to disclose in advance all details of where and when we will be testing, in order to preserve the integrity of the test, we're happy to answer any questions that we can.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;">Please feel free to forward this email to your neighbors who may not be on our list. We will get back to you when we have our first results, and explain more as well as provide you with a web link where you can always find up-to-date results.</div>Steve Southwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10138043376562658838noreply@blogger.com0