Volpe Center: Volpe Center Highlights

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Volpe Center Highlights - March 2000

Human and Natural Environment

Protect and enhance communities and the natural environment affected by transportation.

Volpe Investigates Asbestos Problems in Libby, Montana (EPA)

On November 29, 1999, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region VIII requested immediate assistance from the Volpe Center in assessing on-going asbestos exposure in Libby, Montana. Two days later, on December 1, 1999, a team of the Center's federal and contract personnel were onsite preparing to conduct sampling activities. Mr. Mark Raney of the Environmental Engineering Division provided lead technical assistance for the technical sampling and analysis protocol during the Phase I assessment. Mr. John McGuiggin also of the Division is the Project Manager.

Photo: Tremolite-actinolite crystals in raw ore

Tremolite-actinolite crystals in raw ore from Zonolite Mountain
(Photo courtesy of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Adverse health effects in Libby, a town in northwestern Montana, are associated with exposure to asbestos from a former W.R. Grace vermiculite mine located approximately five miles from the center of town on Zonolite Mountain. Vermiculite is a nonmetallic mineral that occurs naturally in large deposits in the Libby area. It is used to manufacture building insulation, and as lightweight concrete aggregates and agricultural soil additives. Vermiculite was mined at the Libby site for more than 60 years until the mine's closure in 1990.

Asbestos exposure resulting from vermiculite mining, processing, and transportation activities has been linked to 192 deaths in Libby and 375 additional cases of asbestos-related disease since 1961, according to the Post-Intelligencer, a Seattle, Washington, newspaper. Of those who have contracted asbestos-related diseases, some worked at the mines or were family members of miners. Others had no link to the mine other than living in Libby. Working through the EPA, the Volpe Center conducted sampling of residential properties, schools, former mining sites, and other potentially impacted areas from December 1999 through March 2000. Analysis of December and January samples showed the presence of tremolite asbestos, a rare form of asbestos present within the mined vermiculite.

The health risk associated with the tremolite asbestos, in part, depends upon the mineralogy and physical characteristics of the fibers. To date, fibers of risk have been identified from air samples taken at residences and at former vermiculite-processing facilities. Asbestos also has been identified in a significant number of soil samples. The EPA is evaluating the sampling results and is preparing to conduct a medical assessment in the spring to identify rates and concentrations of exposure.

The Volpe Center is continuing to provide sampling, site assessment, and analytical support to the EPA in accordance with a 1994 Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations. The Volpe Center's Environmental Engineering Division has been supporting the EPA's Region VIII since January 1999 in line with DOT's strategic goal in the area of human and natural environment.

Volpe Assesses Control of Aquatic Nuisance Species (USCG)

Photo: cluster of Zebra Mussels attached to clams

Aquatic nuisance species such as the Zebra Mussel, shown here attached to native clams, have been introduced via ballast water and are a threat to native animals.
(Illustration courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

The Volpe Center is supporting the U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) Research and Development Center by providing marine and environmental engineering expertise in assessing the effectiveness of existing technologies used for the control of invasions of aquatic nuisance species (ANS). Examples of ANS include fish, mollusks, crabs, other invertebrates and many tiny varieties of shrimp and algae, and microorganisms that are introduced into domestic waterways from ballast water discharged from foreign vessels. The impact of ANS has been most dramatic in the Great Lakes and associated river systems and in San Francisco Bay where new species have proliferated because of a lack of predators and displaced native animals. The Zebra Mussel, a mollusk that is native to the Caspian Sea, is one well-known example. It was first found in Lake St. Clair in 1988 and has spread to each of the Great Lakes. Up to 1 inch in length, it has a striped pattern on its shell and is a threat to native mussels.

On January 25, 2000, Mr. William Halloran of the Environmental Engineering Division traveled to Washington, D.C., to discuss plans to assess existing technologies for controlling ANS. Based on decisions made at the meeting, the Center will review manufacturers' testing protocols and observe actual testing of various technologies. Three of the systems to be tested include both cyclotronic separation of solids and suspended matter from the water, and treatment of the water with ultraviolet light. A fourth system involves filtering water upon intake and then successive oxygenation and de-oxygenation to kill populations of anaerobic and aerobic microorganisms. The Center then will report on the validity of the manufacturers' testing protocol and the effectiveness of the technology at controlling these aquatic nuisance species.

Presentation at Airport Noise and Air Quality Symposia (FAA)

Photo: acoustic mic/equipment set up in the Everglades National Park

Volpe is performing ambient noise measurements in the national parks, including Everglades National Park shown here.

From February 14 to 16, 2000, Mr. Gregg Fleming of the Safety and Environmental Technology Division participated in the "Year 2000 International Airport Noise and Air Quality Symposia" in San Diego, California. He presented a paper entitled "FAA's Aircraft Noise Initiatives in the National Parks." The paper presented an overview of FAA's aircraft noise-related research that has been conducted in the national parks for the past five years. The symposia, sponsored by the University of California at Berkeley and the FAA, addressed noise and air quality issues related to regulatory requirements; aircraft engine design and development; and measurement, modeling, and mitigation. Mr. Fleming's participation in the symposia is part of the Volpe Center's support to the FAA Office of Environment and Energy in the development and maintenance of the Integrated Noise Model (INM), a computer model for airport noise prediction and analysis. This work includes measuring aircraft noise and engine exhaust emissions, and augmenting the FAA's core capability in air quality modeling.

Volpe Employee Selected as Finalist for NASA's Astronaut Class of 2000

During the week of February 6, 2000, the final group of six groups of prospective astronauts was at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Johnson Space Center (JSC) for orientation, interviews, and medical evaluations. Mr. Seamus McGovern of the Airport Surface Division was one of 22 prospective astronauts in that group. The selection process, which takes place every two years, began with a total of 3,000 applicants. Approximately 120 applicants out of the total were interviewed for a chance to be among those named as astronaut candidates. These 120 applicants include a mix of military personnel and NASA employees, as well as civilian researchers and scientists. By early summer, 10 to 20 applicants will be selected for the astronaut program. If chosen, Mr. McGovern will spend about two years in training. Following that, the average wait for a space flight is five years.

Photo: Mr. Seamus McGovern standing in front of the AH-1F Cobra helicopter gunship

Mr. Seamus McGovern is currently flying the AH-1F Cobra helicopter gunship as a pilot with the U.S. Army National Guard.

Mr. McGovern's interest in flying and space exploration began at a very early age. His role models included scientists, military figures, pilots, and explorers. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering physics and a master's degree in systems and control engineering. At the Volpe Center, he works as a test engineer designing and conducting evaluations on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-sponsored prototype radars, trackers, and other sensors and data processors. Prior to joining the Volpe Center, Mr. McGovern served in the U.S. Navy. Mr. McGovern is designated as both a U.S. Naval Aviator and U.S. Army Aviator with more than 2,800 hours of airplane/helicopter, day/night, instrument, over-water, and low-level military pilot flight time as an operational pilot, an instructor pilot, and a maintenance test pilot. He also served in the U.S. Naval Reserves and is currently a Cobra gunship pilot in the U.S. Army National Guard. In addition, Mr. McGovern currently is enrolled in a graduate certificate program for software engineering. Despite his busy schedule, he still finds time to participate in the Center's volunteer education outreach program known as "Lunch Buddies." As such, he has become a role model for grade school students.

Mr. McGovern recognizes that to have progressed this far in the NASA Astronaut selection process is quite an honor. If not chosen for this class, he vows to continue to apply for as long as it takes.

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