Environmental Chemistry Laboratory
Comprised of three Laboratories: Nashville Central Laboratory,
Jackson Regional Laboratory and Knoxville Regional Laboratory
 Inorganic Chemistry
 General Inorganic Routines
 Metals
 Organic Chemistry
 Extractables
 Volatiles/UST
 Radiochemistry
 Alpha, Beta and Gamma
 Aquatic Biology
 Macroinvertebrate Identification
 Toxicity Testing (Acute and Chronic)
 Field Activities
 Chemical Terrorism Laboratory
 Level 2 Capabilities
Environmental
Incidents in
Tennessee Since
2007
Liberty Creek and
Egyptian Lacquer
Manufacturing Co.
(ELMCO)
January 2007
Facts:
• In response to citizens complaints about strong odors along Liberty
Creek, water and air sampling was conducted by Tennessee
Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). The
predominant chemicals found were acetone and toluene.
• Egyptian Lacquer Manufacturing Company (ELMCO) reported to
TDEC on February 13, 2007 that an above ground toluene tank was
leaking.
• A later investigation by ELMCO at the request of TDEC revealed
that toluene and acetone pipelines were leaking into the subsurface.
• Further investigation by TDEC revealed that acetone and toluene
were entering Liberty Creek and Harpeth River through seeps along
the banks.
• The Organic Chemistry Section performed the initial volatile
organics analyses that identified the acetone and toluene.
• Quarterly monitoring samples from Liberty Creek are still being
collected by TDEC and analyzed by Organic Chemistry.
Middle Point Landfill
and BSFR Policy
May 2007
Facts:
• In 1997, Tennessee developed a framework for disposing of lowlevel radioactive waste in a Class I landfill. The program has come
to be referred to as the “Bulk Survey For Release (BSFR) Program.”
• The sampling and measurement processes must indicate that any
materials to be disposed of as part of the BSFR Program meet the
strict criteria that have been established in Tennessee’s regulatory
framework, i.e. must have a dose < one millirem per year.
• The Middle Point Landfill was one of five facilities in Tennessee
permitted to participate in the BSFR Program.
• After reports in the news media concerning Middle Point Landfill and
radioactive waste, local residents expressed concerns about
potential contamination to their drinking water sources.
• The Radiochemistry Section performed numerous gamma, gross
alpha-beta and tritium analyses on landfill leachates and waste
water treatment plant influents and effluents.
TVA Kingston Coal
Ash Spill
December 2008
Facts:
• On Monday December 22, 2008, around 1:00 a.m., the
retention wall of one of the coal ash holding ponds failed.
More than 5.4 million cubic yards of coal ash mixed with
327 million gallons of water spilled and covered more
than 300 acres of surrounding water and land, entering a
branch of the Emory River, two Emory River
embayments, and eventually spilling into the main Emory
River.
• The massive ash slide disrupted power and ruptured a
gas line, causing the evacuation of a nearby
neighborhood. There were no immediate deaths or
injuries caused by this extraordinary ash slide.
• Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
(TDEC) immediately implemented a water sampling plan for
public water supply, well and surface water monitoring, and fish
tissue monitoring.
• TDEC also implemented sampling plans for air, soil and coal
ash.
• The Environmental Chemistry Sections, General Inorganics and
Metals, performed TVA Kingston drinking water sample testing
for 7 days a week for 1 month with a required 24-hour
turnaround time on analytical results.
• This was followed by drinking water sample collection for 5 days
a week for 3 months with a required 24-hour turnaround time on
analytical results.
• The Environmental Chemistry Sections, Organics and
Radiochemistry, performed testing on air, soil and coal ash
samples.
• Radiochemical and metals testing on air samples from TVA
Kingston continues today.
Nashville Flood
May 2010
Facts:
• The May 2010 Tennessee floods were 1000-year floods
as a result of torrential rains on May 1 and 2, 2010.
• Two-day rain totals in some areas were greater than 19
inches.
• One of Metro Nashville’s two drinking water treatment
plants was flooded, and taken out of operation.
• Environmental Chemistry analyzed samples from this
plant after it was brought back in operation to verify
proper treatment conditions.
• Environmental Microbiology analyzed a large number of
samples from numerous drinking water treatment plants
in Middle Tennessee for E. Coli.
Japanese Nuclear
Crisis
March 2011
Facts:
• On Friday, March 11, 2011, an earthquake of
magnitude 9.0 and a 23-foot tsunami devastated
Japan.
• Cooling systems at the Fukushima Daiichi
Nuclear Power Station failed which led to a
nuclear crisis.
• Fires and explosions at Reactors 1, 2 and 3
resulted in massive releases of radioactive
material into the air, sea and land.
• RadNet is EPA’s national network of monitoring
stations that regularly collect air, precipitation,
drinking water, and milk samples for analysis of
radioactivity.
• The RadNet network, which has stations in each
State, has been used to track environmental releases
of radioactivity from nuclear weapons tests and
nuclear accidents.
• The Radiochemistry Laboratory tested RadNet air,
precipitation and drinking water samples for gammaemitting radionuclides, e.g. iodine-131, cesium-137
and tellurium-132.
Iodine-131 Activity vs. Date Sampled
0.100
3/29/2011
0.090
0.080
pCi/m^3 I-131 Activity
0.070
12/28/2010
2/1/2011
2/22/2011
3/29/2011
4/11/2011
4/18/2011
4/26/2011
0.060
0.050
3/29/2011
3/29/2011
0.040
0.030
0.020
0.010
0.000
A11I
A12I
Iodine Cartridge Sample ID
A13I
What lessons can be
learned from being
involved in the
response to these
environmental
incidents?
• Preparation is KEY, but can you really
respond in an effective and timely manner,
i.e. capability vs. capacity issues.
• A dedicated, knowledgeable and well-trained
staff are CRITICAL.
• PARTNERSHIPS, such as ERLN-WLA, are
an important component of any response
plan.
• Lastly, environmental incidents or
catastrophes far removed from your
organization can have a strong impact on
your operations.
Preparedness continues to be a core focus for
CDC. The best approach to preparedness is
the best approach for public health – identify
the problems you can do something about,
develop and implement programs, rigorously
evaluate their effectiveness, and look for ways
to improve them.
Thomas Frieden, MD, MPH CDC Director
Questions?
Contact Information:
Bob Read, Ph.D.
Director, Environmental Laboratories
Tennessee Department of Health
Division of Laboratory Services
630 Hart Lane
Nashville, TN 37243
(615)262-6302
bob.read@tn.gov