vvEPA
REGION III
EMERGENCY
RESPONSE
TEAM
Perkasie TCE Assessment
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
SUB-SLAB SAMPLING BEGINS!
- EPA LOOKS FOR VAPORS IN SOIL-

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/ Where, how much, and at what
concentrations TCE contaminated soil-vapor
exists?
/ If there is a risk to human health and the
environment.
EPA will work together with the Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
during this investigation.
Background...
In November 2003, EPA contractors
collected approximately 60 samples as part of a
preliminary assessment in the Perkasie area. The
assessment results showed that there is TCE-
contaminated soil-vapor in the Perkasie area and
further investigation is needed.
EPA will conduct a detailed study into the
possibility of residential vapor intrusion, beginning
mid-March.
What you may notice...
Workers will be in residential areas taking
soil-vapor samples. They will be using some heavy
equipment and may be wearing protective work
gear, such as hardhats, safety glasses and latex
gloves.
Workers will be collecting sub-slab soil-
vapor samples. This means that vapor samples will
be collected from underneath the cement slabs of
houses. Samples will be taken from an angle so the
soil directly beneath a home can be reached at depth,
without disturbing the house.
* Photo example of Geoprobe™ soil-vapor
sampling equipment.

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* Photo example of Geoprobe™ soil-vapor
sampling.
The Sampling Process.
Geoprobe
1/4"
Teflon
tubing
Foundation
21" Soil Vapor
Implant
>/ "Direct-push hole drilling" means no soil
will be removed.
/ A 21-inch rod, or "implant" will be installed
at an angle beneath the cement slab of a house.
/ Once the implant is inserted and the soil
given a chance to stabilize, the soil-vapor sample
will be collected.
EPA may temporarily keep the sampling location
available for future sampling, if needed.
A Photo example of steel, flush-mounted
protective casing.

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Schedule...
Work for this sampling
phase will last around two weeks,
however data results will take
longer. All results must go through
a process of quality assurance and
quality controls (QAQC), to help
ensure accuracy, which can take up
to 30 days. When the sample
collection is finished, and the data
results are completed, EPA will sit
down with property owners to
discuss their results before
announcing the overall findings to
the community.
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Diagram example of soil-vapor drawn (arrows)
through the inner tubing system and sealed in a
container. The container is sent to a lab for
analysis.
What is TCE, and how can people be
affected by it...
TCE is:
/
/
/
A nonflammable, colorless liquid
Is used mainly as a solvent to remove grease
from metal parts
An ingredient in adhesives, paint removers,
typewriter correction fluids, and spot
removers
TCE can enter the body bv:
J Breathing in TCE vapors from contaminated
soil and/or water
/ By drinking, swimming or showering in
TCE-contaminated water
J By skin contact, while manufacturing TCE
products or using them at work to wash paint or
grease from skin or equipment
For More Information...
If you have questions about this project, please
contact:
Rich Fetzer
EPA On-Scene Coordinator
(215) 814-3263
For health-related information on TCE, please
contact:
Bucky Walters
AT SDR Regional Representative
(215)814-3139
Trish Taylor
EPA Community Involvement Coordinator
(215) 814-5539

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