Training Classes and Materials

Reference & Resources

Reading Room

Reference Documents/Internet Resources

Workshops/Conferences

Training Classes and Materials

Information on Triad training classes and associated presentation materials are available via this section.

Classroom Training

CLU-IN Upcoming Courses and Conferences – USEPA, This section of CLU-IN lists information on upcoming courses and conferences related to hazardous waste characterization and remediation. It allows you to search by event name, description, location, and date.

http://www.clu-in.org/courses/

Trainex: EPA's Classroom Training Website – USEPA, This website lists training opportunities for federal, state, tribal, and local government staff involved in hazardous waste management and remediation. Included are schedules for deliveries of many courses, both classroom and Internet-based.

http://trainex.org

Upcoming Internet Seminars

Brownfield Inventory Tool (BIT) - A Free, Web-based Site Inventory Tool – US EPA Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization
March 23, 2010, 11:00AM-12:30PM EDT, 15:00-16:30 GMT
The Brownfield Inventory Tool (BIT) is a Free, web-based, comprehensive brownfields program management tool. Cities, regional coalitions, and tribes can use BIT to create site inventories; submit reports such as the multiple property profile form (in excel); generate maps; and log administrative information about brownfields and other environmental programs. This CLU-IN session will provide a live demonstration of how to use BIT. Briefing slides with screenshots will also be available for those without internet access during the CLU-IN session.

BIT is available at http://tab-bit.org. Please click on "Register" to create your password for access to site inventory tools and all other features on the web page. For subsequent visits, use the Login link to enter your e-mail and password.

http://www.clu-in.org/live/

Improved Process for Identifying, Prioritizing and Addressing Emerging Pollutants – Superfund Research Program
March 25, 2010, 2:00PM-3:30PM EDT, 18:00-19:30 GMT
As of January 2006, there were more than 239,000 substances on the Chemical Abstracts Service list of regulated chemicals. The production of more than 4,800 of these chemicals exceeded 1,000 metric ton/year. This total does not include the massive quantities of "naturally occurring" contaminants that may enter the human environment due to resource extraction and production such as mining, groundwater pumping and agricultural practices. That said, how is it possible to identify those contaminants of most environmental concern, and then winnow that list further to those contaminants most likely to be the foci of attention in future mega-contamination sites? In short, how can we identify the contaminants most likely to create the next generation of Superfund sites? Motivated by this challenge, a workshop of 24 experts was convened in August 2009 with the express purpose of answering this question. The participants were specifically chosen to encompass the broad spectrum of disciplines with insight into the issue's many different facets, including toxicology; pharmacokinetics; pharmacology; risk assessment; contaminant fate and transport; chemical bioaccumulation, bioavailability and persistence; chemical parameter estimation and modeling; analytic chemistry; chemical production, use and disposal, and monitoring and assessment technology. It is the intent of this seminar to summarize the discussions, conclusions, and identification of challenges that have evolved (so far) out of the workshop.

In order to create a prioritized list of contaminants (and groups of contaminants) of greatest concern, the considerations that must be integrated are neither simple nor few in number. They must include the substance's environmental persistence, its toxicity or otherwise deleterious environmental impact, its type and number of health end-points, its frequency of occurrence and volume of production, and its likelihood to accumulate or be disposed in such a way as to create geographic hot spots with a high potential for human exposure. Equally importantly, an algorithm is needed that delineates the judgments and measurements necessary to maintain the relevance of the list as new information, tools, and techniques are developed and as yet unconsidered contaminant candidates are identified or come on the market. This is not to say that what have historically been the primary actors in Superfund are still not necessary targets for study in both present and future Superfund sites. However, they should be evaluated comparatively along with pollutants in the poorly defined and rapidly broadening list of emerging contaminants as we attempt to predict what the next generation of Superfund sites will look like and how to prioritize finite budgets to minimize the likelihood of their creation.

This webinar is sponsored by the NIEHS Superfund Research Program (www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/srp/).

http://www.clu-in.org/live/

LNAPL Characterization and Recoverability - Improved Analysis – Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council
March 11, 2010, 11:00AM-1:15PM EST, 16:00-18:15 GMT
Light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) are organic liquids such as gasoline, diesel, and other petroleum hydrocarbon products that are immiscible with water and less dense than water. Understanding LNAPLs is important because they are present in the subsurface at thousands of remediation sites across the country, and are often the sole reason why a site remains "open." The spectrum of sites where LNAPL assessment and remediation efforts may take place include petroleum manufacturing and handling facilities such as refineries, bulk product terminals, gas stations, airports and military bases. LNAPLs in the subsurface can be a complex problem to address, and frequently prevent or delay regulatory closure (no further action) of remediation projects.

This training course is relevant for all levels of state and federal regulators, environmental consultants, and technically-inclined site owners and public stakeholders. The training course is divided into three parts:

An Improved Understanding of LNAPL Behavior in the Subsurface - State of Science vs. State of Practice
LNAPL Characterization and Recoverability-- Improved Analysis
Evaluating LNAPL Remedial Technologies for Achieving Project Goals

Part 2 addresses LNAPL characterization and site conceptual model development as well as LNAPL recovery evaluation and remedial considerations. Specifically, Part 2 discusses key LNAPL and site data, when and why those data may be important, and how to get those data. Part 2 also discusses how to evaluate LNAPL recoverability. A sound LNAPL understanding is necessary to effectively characterize and assess LNAPL conditions and potential risks, as well as to evaluate potential remedial technologies or alternatives. Unfortunately, many environmental professionals have a faulty understanding of LNAPL conditions based on outdated paradigms. The ITRC LNAPLs Team is providing Internet-based training to improve the general understanding of LNAPLs. Better understanding leads to better decision making. Additionally, this training provides a necessary technical foundation to foster effective use of the ITRC LNAPLs Team Technical and Regulatory Guidance document, Evaluating LNAPL Remedial Technologies for Achieving Project Goals (LNAPL-2, 2009).

http://www.clu-in.org/live/

Evaluating LNAPL Remedial Technologies for Achieving Project Goals – Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council
March 18, 2010, 11:00AM-1:15PM EDT, 15:00-17:15 GMT
Light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) are organic liquids such as gasoline, diesel, and other petroleum hydrocarbon products that are immiscible with water and less dense than water. Understanding LNAPLs is important because they are present in the subsurface at thousands of remediation sites across the country and are often the sole reason why a site remains open. The spectrum of sites where LNAPL assessment and remediation efforts may take place include petroleum manufacturing and handling facilities such as refineries, bulk product terminals, gas stations, airports and military bases. LNAPLs in the subsurface can be a complex problem to address, and frequently prevent or delay regulatory closure (no further action) of remediation projects.

Over the past few decades, LNAPL remedial technologies have evolved from conventional pumping or hydraulic recovery systems to a variety of innovative, aggressive, and experimental technologies that address the mobile and residual LNAPL fractions, as well as volatile and dissolved-phase plumes. Thus, many different LNAPL remedial technologies with differing site and LNAPL applicabilities and capabilities are available to remediate LNAPL releases. This can make selection of a remedial technology daunting and inefficient. To foster informed remedial technology selection and appropriate technology application, the LNAPLs Team developed the ITRC Technical and Regulatory Guidance document, Evaluating LNAPL Remedial Technologies for Achieving Project Goals (LNAPL-2, 2009). This document addresses seventeen LNAPL remedial technologies and provides a framework to streamline remedial technology evaluation and selection.

This training course is relevant for new and veteran regulators, environmental consultants, and technically-inclined site owners and public stakeholders. The training course is divided into three parts:

Part 1: An Improved Understanding of LNAPL Behavior in the Subsurface - State of Science vs. State of Practice
Part 2: LNAPL Characterization and Recoverability - Improved Analysis
Part 3: Evaluating LNAPL Remedial Technologies for Achieving Project Goals

Part 3 uses the LNAPL conceptual site model (LCSM) approach to identify the LNAPL concerns or risks and set proper LNAPL remedial objectives and technology-specific remediation goals and performance metrics. The training course also provides an overview of the LNAPL remedial technology selection framework. The framework uses a series of tools to screen the seventeen remedial technologies based on site and LNAPL conditions and other important factors. LNAPL Training Part 1 and LNAPL Training 2 are recommended pre-requisites for this Part 3 training course. Archives are available at http://cluin.org/live/archive.cfm?sort=title#itrc (note: courses are listed alphabetically, you will have to scroll down to find the course of interest).

http://www.clu-in.org/live/

Risk Assessment and Risk Management: Determination and Application of Risk-Based Values – Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council
April 8, 2010, 11:00AM-1:15PM EDT, 15:00-17:15 GMT
Assessment of human health risks posed by exposure to hazardous substances is a vital component to the process of remediation of contaminated sites. Risk-based screening values are developed and used in both planning and conducting site remediation. This training course is designed for site managers and others involved in making remedial decisions to help them better understand the risk assessment / risk management process.

This training course describes the development and application of risk-based screening values. The first module provides a review of key risk assessment concepts related to risk management. It also introduces the Electronic Risk Resource Fact Sheet developed by the ITRC Risk Assessment Resources team. The second module focuses on the process by which risk-based levels are derived in different states. This module introduces the document,Examination of Risk-Based Screening Values and Approaches of Selected States (RISK-1, 2005), developed by the ITRC Risk Assessment Resources team. The third module examines the application of risk assessment to remediation operations in two case studies providing examples of how risk assessment has actually been implemented, based upon research and case studies conducted by the ITRC Risk Assessment Resources team. This training course describes a number of the reasons behind variations in risk-based screening values and their use in risk management. Overall, the training course enhances the transparency and understanding of risk assessment and its use in remediation.

http://www.clu-in.org/live/

Quality Considerations for Munitions Response Projects – Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council
April 13, 2010, 2:00PM-4:15PM EDT, 18:00-20:15 GMT
This training introduces state regulators, environmental consultants, site owners, and community stakeholders to Quality Considerations for Munitions Response Projects (UXO-5, 2008), created by the ITRC's Unexploded Ordnance Team. In this document, quality is defined as "conformance to requirements." To manage quality, the quality requirements of the project must first be understood. Requirements must be precisely stated and clearly understood by everyone involved. A plan is then put in place to meet those requirements.

The UXO Team emphasizes taking a whole-system approach to designing, planning and managing a munitions response (MR) project to optimize quality. Whole-system design means optimizing not just parts, but the entire system (in this case the MR). Practically speaking, the UXO Team views MR project as a system made of processes, sub-processes, and tasks. Therefore, a process approach to planning and managing MR projects is recommended.

An MR plan properly developed using the process approach will contain quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) activities that need to be performed. Through the proper application of a process approach to plan and manage an MR project, the MR project should produce results of verifiable quality with sufficient QA and QC documentation for defensible decision making.

The document concludes with some real-world examples of how QA/QC planning and process control throughout an MR project can affect the results of the MR project, particularly how attention to quality during MR processes can influence follow-on processes and the project's final outcome.

This training course is intended for an intermediate audience and assumes a basic understanding of specialized processes associated with MR projects. Background information on some of the topics can be found in Munitions Response Historical Records Review (UXO-2, 2003) and Geophysical Prove-Outs for Munitions Response Projects (UXO-3, 2004), Survey of Munitions Response Technologies (UXO-4, 2006) and their associated Internet-based training courses

http://www.clu-in.org/live/

Use of Risk Assessment in Management of Contaminated Sites – Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council
April 27, 2010, 2:00PM-4:15PM EDT, 18:00-20:15 GMT
The ITRC Risk Assessment Resources team developed a document titled Use of Risk Assessment in Management of Contaminated Sites (RISK-2, 2008). This Internet-based training is taken from the RISK-2 document and highlights variation of risk-based site management and how to improve the use of risk assessment for making better risk management decisions. This training course looks at how various risk-based approaches and criteria are applied in various states and programs throughout the processes of screening, characterization, and management of contaminated sites.

The document and training course are intended for risk assessors and project managers involved with the characterization, remediation, and/or re-use of sites. Together they provide a valuable tool for federal and state regulatory agencies to demonstrate how site data collection, risk assessment, and risk management may be better integrated. This training course explains:

Variation in risk assessment parameters/approaches in various states and their influence on risk management
Insights into the use of risk assessment in risk management process through use of specific case study examples
An improved process of using risk assessment in risk management

This course builds on the Risk Team's previous work identifying variation in the development of risk-based numerical criteria, specifically soil screening levels. A prerequisite to this training course is the Risk Team's previous Internet-based training (archive is available from http://cluin.org/live/archive.cfm?sort=title#itrc) based on ITRC's Risk Assessment and Risk Management: Determination of Risk-Based Values (RISK-1, 2005). The Electronic Risk Resource Sheet published by the ITRC Risk Team is recommended as an excellent resource for supplemental materials related to risk assessment and risk management.

http://www.clu-in.org/live/

Archived Internet Seminars

Dynamic Data Collection Strategy Using Systematic Planning and Innovative Field-Based Measurement Technologies – USEPA & USACE, This seminar reviews the importance of systematic planning as a prelude to dynamic work strategies and innovative measurement technologies. Case studies illustrate site characterization, removal/remedial action and treatment system optimization.

http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/sysplan_031501/

The Triad Approach to Better Cleanup Projects: Illustrated with the Tree Fruit Case Study – USEPA, This seminar introduces the importance of systematic project planning to ensure the quality of project decisions. Dynamic work strategies and field measurement technologies simultaneously bring down project costs while increasing decision confidence.

http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/triad_012303/

Field Analytical Technologies for VOCs in Groundwater – USEPA, This seminar describes an evaluation the ETV Program did for five different technologies for generating field analytical measurements of VOCs in groundwater. Basic principles of operation underlying the various technologies is presented, along with a summary of the performance of each of the technologies with their advantages and limitations.

http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/vocgw_022701/

Field-Based Analytical Methods for Explosive Compound – USEPA, This seminar covers field-based methods for explosives residues in soil and water, including the analytical challenges posed by compounds with a short review of fixed-lab methods. Sampling considerations for water and soil matrices are also covered, with particular emphasis on the extreme spatial heterogeneity generally found in soils.

http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/explosives_082801/

Field-Based Geophysical Technologies – USEPA, This 2-hr seminar starts with the basic science behind geophysical technologies and how they fit into smarter approaches to cleaning up hazardous waste sites. Throughout the seminar, instructors describe how the use of systematic planning, dynamic work strategies, and field technologies are applied to developing a CSM that can reliably guide site cleanup activities.

http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/geophysical_121201/

Uses of Spatial Analysis and Decision Assistance (SADA) – USEPA, Spatial Analysis and Decision Assistance (SADA) is free software that incorporates tools from environmental assessment fields into an effective problem solving environment. These tools include integrated modules for visualization, geospatial analysis, statistical analysis, human health risk assessment, ecological risk assessment, cost/benefit analysis, sampling design, and decision analysis. This seminar highlights the tools uses, but is not a tutorial for the software.

http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/sada_081506/

Training Presentation Slides

The links below lead to Triad training materials (PowerPoint presentations, video clips, etc.) developed by members of the Triad working group.