Table 4. Office of Research and Development comparison of planned resource levels in fiscal years 1975. 1976, 1977, and 

 1978 by media. 



industrial), or nonpoint (i.e., agricultural) and oth- 

 er kinds of human — or more specifically, municipal 

 — activities. Emissions and wastes from each 

 source must be characterized by physical and 

 chemical properties in the process stream aod at 

 the source output. 



Capabilities to characterize environmental con- 

 taminants (i.e., determine their chemical composi- 

 tion) and measure ambient concentrations must be 

 developed. Effects research depends critically on 

 the availability of effective characterization and 

 monitoring techniques for all forms of wastes, in- 

 cluding gases, liquids, solids, and energy. 



Overall assessment of health, ecological, and 

 other welfare effects must be figured on concentra- 

 tions, as well as physical properties and chemical 

 composition, of the environmental pollutant ob- 

 served. The element of environmental loading 

 must provide the necessary quantitative and quali- 

 tative input in the proper format to assess expo- 

 sure of all receptors including humans, animals, 

 plants, materials, etc. The effects element is con- 

 cerned with acute, subacute, and chronic effects 

 and with effects characterized as reversible and 

 irreversible. Since establishment of environmental 

 standards and regulations are reasons for much of 

 this research, close coordination and feedback of 

 effects research and abatement methods R&D are 

 essential. 



The last element concerns itself with identifica- 

 tion and development of cost-effective approaches 

 to pollution control. Obviously, relevant costs, 



1 78 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 



risks, and benefits of feasible control options must 

 be evaluated. Such control measures can range 

 from "hard" technology modifications (e.g., add- 

 on devices, process change, resource recovery, 

 etc.) to socioeconomic implementation instruments 

 (i.e., incentives, land use regulations, etc.). Final- 

 ly, a quality assurance effort of monitoring meth- 

 ods is required for implementation and effective 

 enforcement of any standard or regulation. 



Examples of Research 



ORD's 14 research subprograms are integrated 

 into this kind of framework. No one R&D effort 

 can stand alone; i.e., most of ORD's outputs con- 

 tain interrelated inputs of more than one subpro- 

 gram. The mission of EPA requires this, and the 

 nature of solutions to environmental problems 

 demands no less. 



Health Effects, Air Exposure 



FY 1977 plan. This plan calls for research to: 



• Refine estimates to health effects related to 

 short-term nitrogen oxides exposure around 

 point sources. 



• Refine the acid sulfate aerosol health impact 

 and impact of trace metals in primary smelter 

 communities. 



