The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday announced airborne manganese concentrations in Glasgow Borough in Beaver County warrant further investigation. The results of a short-term (eight-month) monitoring project revealed manganese levels exceeding federal health-based long-term screening guidelines.

DEP, in consultation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Ohio’s environmental agency, will begin conducting further investigation of manganese emissions from the nearby S.H. Bell East Liverpool Terminal, located in East Liverpool, Ohio, and Midland, PA, along the Ohio River, and other potential sources.

“The health of our citizens is paramount to DEP,” said DEP Secretary John Quigley. “Releasing this information allows state and federal agencies to work closely with the residents on improving air quality in the region.”

In response to concerns raised by the residents of Glasgow Borough regarding the emission of metals from processing facilities including the S.H. Bell facility, DEP conducted ambient air monitoring to characterize ambient concentrations of eight metals: arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, nickel, and zinc.

The ambient air concentrations of metals other than manganese did not exceed the long-term screening values.

During the every-six-day sampling period from October 26, 2014 to July 5, 2015, 40 total suspended particulate (TSP) and 41 PM10 filters were collected and quality assured as valid samples.

The analyses performed by DEP’s Bureau of Laboratories included the weight of particulate matter and metal concentrations.

At the request of DEP, the U.S. EPA provided assistance with data analysis and recommended health-based long-term screening values

The average ambient manganese level measured in Glasgow Borough ranged from 0.036 to 2.23 micrograms per cubic meter, with a mean concentration of 0.521 micrograms per cubic meter.

The mean manganese concentration exceeded the U.S. EPA and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s health-based long-term screening values of 0.05 and 0.30 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively.

DEP sent a copy of the final summary report to the Glasgow Borough Council, Department of Health, ATSDR, U.S. EPA and Ohio EPA.

 In addition to requesting further evaluation of the metals data by the PA DOH and ATSDR, DEP intends to work closely with residents in the Glasgow area, U.S. EPA and Ohio EPA to reduce ambient concentrations of manganese in the area.

DEP’s summary report and pertinent government agency contact information is available online.

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