United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5
Superfund Division
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Foreword
The purpose of this Vapor Intrusion (VI) Guidebook is to augment existing United States
Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) guidance by summarizing lessons learned and best
practices regarding the process for evaluating the VI pathway at sites in Region 5. This VI
Guidebook is intended to (1) assist On-Scene Coordinators (OSC), Remedial Project Managers
(RPM), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Project Managers, and Site
Assessment Managers (SAM) as they evaluate and manage VI issues under Superfund Removal,
Remedial, and Site Assessment (SA) programs and (2) promote consistency among the
approaches used at different VI sites in Region 5.
VI is the migration of volatile chemicals from the subsurface into overlying buildings. A VI
exposure pathway is considered complete when people are exposed to vapors originating from
site contamination. The VI exposure pathway includes four components: (1) a primary source
(such as a spill area, contaminated groundwater, or a landfill), (2) a transport mechanism (such as
groundwater flow), (3) vapors in soil (such as soil gas [SG] and sub-slab [SS] vapors), and (4)
indoor air (IA) in a building where people are present.
As of the date of this VI Guidebook, U.S. EPA has issued a draft guidance to address the issue of
VI entitled "OSWER Draft Guidance for Evaluating the Vapor Intrusion to Indoor Air Pathway
from Groundwater and Soils" (Draft Guidance) (U.S. EPA 2002). This VI Guidebook is
intended to be consistent with the Draft Guidance and recommends use of the Draft Guidance's
three-tiered screening approach to determine if VI is occurring at a particular site. This approach
emphasizes that each component of the pathway, from the source to IA, should be investigated to
determine if the VI pathway is complete. This VI Guidebook also makes use of the expansion of
this approach as described in the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council's (ITRC) "Vapor
Intrusion Pathway: A Practical Guideline" (ITRC 2007). This VI Guidebook also uses
information in the U.S. EPA Region 3 "Vapor Intrusion Framework" (U.S. EPA 2009) and U.S.
EPA Headquarters' draft answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) dated August 2009.
However, this VI Guidebook expands beyond these source documents by identifying lessons
learned from U.S. EPA Region 5 VI sites, including decision-making techniques, sampling
techniques, mitigation options, long-term monitoring techniques, and lessons learned at
petroleum sites.
This VI Guidebook presents information on different types of VI sites, including sites with
chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the subsurface and spills of petroleum and
petroleum-related chemicals. Petroleum compounds are unique because of their subsurface
biodegradation potential and other physical and chemical characteristics. Biodegradation in the
subsurface generally occurs if the oxygen level is sufficiently elevated.
Reviewers of this VI Guidebook included OSCs, RPMs, Superfund Division management
personnel, U.S. EPA Headquarters personnel, U.S. EPA Environmental Response Team (ERT)
personnel, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), and the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry (ATSDR).
Key approaches used in this VI Guidebook and contacts for further information are discussed
below.
Foreword
i
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Key Approaches Used in this VI Guidebook
• During the investigation of residential, commercial, or industrial properties for potential
VI, it is generally preferred that SS, IA, and outdoor (ambient) air samples be collected at
the same time to allow thorough interpretation of all chemical data and interrelationships.
• For residential properties, the Removal Program generally undertakes response actions
when IA levels exceed a 1 in 10,000 (10"4) lifetime cancer risk level and is found to be
the result of groundwater or soil contamination. Because of temporal and seasonal
variations, IA levels exceeding a 1 in 100,000 (10"5) lifetime cancer risk level generally
trigger actions to reduce IA levels under the Remedial Program.
• For commercial and industrial properties, removal or remedial actions may be undertaken
if IA levels exceed a 1 in 10,000 (10"4) lifetime cancer risk (or result in unacceptable non-
cancer risks) and result from site groundwater or soil contamination.
• For U.S. EPA to take action, generally the concentrations of chemicals detected in the SS
and IA must exceed site screening levels and be tied to the same chemicals detected in
site SG and/or groundwater. Some contaminants may not be soluble in water and may be
transported in a light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) above the groundwater table
into off-site areas of concern.
Contacts for Further Information
Authors
Steve Renninger U.S. EPA OSC - Region 5
Kevin Turner U.S. EPA OSC - Region 5
John Sherrard Weston Solutions, Inc. - START Contractor
513-569-7539
618-997-0115
513-703-3092
Guidebook Review Team
Leah Evison
Dave Mickunas
Gary Newhart
Mark Johnson
Michelle Watters
Dr. Bob Frey
Arunas Draugelis
Milt Clark
U.S. EPA RPM
U.S. EPAERT
U.S. EPAERT
AT SDR - Chicago
AT SDR - Chicago
ODH
U.S. EPA Risk Assessor
U.S. EPA Science Advisor (retired 2010)
651-757-
919-541-
513-569-
312-353-
312-353-
614-466-
312-353-
2898
4191
7661
3436
2979
1069
1420
Foreword
ii
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
Foreword i
Section 1. Introduction 1
Section 2. Vapor Intrusion Key Concepts 3
2.1 What is VI? 3
2.2 Why is VI a Concern? 4
2.3 Where is VI a Potential Concern? 4
2.4 Which Chemicals Pose VI Risks? 4
2.5 How do VOC Vapors Migrate Indoors? What are the Pathways or Conduits for
VI Migration? 4
2.6 Is the VI Pathway Different from Other Exposure Pathways? 5
2.7 What is the "Multiple Lines of Evidence Approach," and How is It Useful in
Assessing the VI Pathway? 6
Section 3. Site Identification, Removal Actions, and Cross-Program Coordination 11
3.1 Site Identification 11
3.1.1 Site Identification Programs 11
3.1.2 Site Identification Recommendations 12
3.2 Removal Actions 14
3.2.1 Removal Action Triggers for VI Sites 14
3.2.2 RPM and OSC Removal Action Roles 15
3.3 Cross-Program Coordination 16
3.3.1 Cross-Program Transfers of VI Sites 17
3.3.2 Cross-Program Coordination Recommendations 17
Section 4. Site Screening and Sampling Strategy 19
4.1 How Should Initial Screening be Conducted? 19
4.2 Is There a Generally Accepted VI Investigation Sampling Strategy? 19
4.3 Which Sample Collection Techniques are Available? 20
4.3.1 SI YIMA Canisters 21
4.3.2 TedlarBags 21
4.3.3 Adsorption Tubes 22
4.4 Which Types of Samples are Collected to Assess for VI, and What are the
Sampling Methods? 22
4.5 What Other Sampling Factors Should be Considered? 22
4.6 What are the Relationships Between Contamination in Various Media? 23
4.7 Other Questions and Issues 23
4.7.1 How Should Very Large Sites be Sampled? 24
4.7.2 What Information Should be Gathered Before Sampling IA in Industrial or
Commercial Buildings? 25
Table of Contents iii October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
4.7.3 How Do I Assess a Site for VI When No Buildings are Present? 26
4.7.4 When Should SG Sample Results be Used to Evaluate a Site for
Potential VI? 26
4.7.5 What Are the Issues with Sampling SG in the Rain? 27
4.7.6 Should Modeling be Used to Assess the VI Pathway? 27
4.7.7 What Are the Units of Measurement for Air and SG Samples, and What
are the Conversion Factors? 27
Section 5. Community Outreach 28
5.1 When and How Should U.S. EPA Inform a Community about VI Concerns and
Sampling Plans? 28
5.2 How Do I Obtain a Signed Access Agreement? 29
5.2.1 U.S. EPA Sample Request Letters 29
5.2.2 Public Meetings and Availability Sessions 30
5.2.3 U.S. EPA Website 30
5.2.4 Door-to-Door Visits 32
5.3 After the Access Agreement Form is Signed, What's Next? 32
5.4 How Do I Deal with Reluctant Home and Building Owners? 32
5.5 How Should I Track Ownership Changes for Owner-Occupied Residences that
Did Not Provide Access? 33
5.6 What Specific Information or Instructions Should be Provided to Residents
Before IA Samples are Collected? 33
5.7 How Can I Educate Communities about Consumer and Household Sources of IA
Contamination to Minimize Interference with VI Studies? 33
Section 6. Sampling Methodology and Procedures 34
6.1 Laboratory Requirements 34
6.2 SS Sampling 34
6.2.1 SS Sampling Equipment and Supplies 34
6.2.2 Temporal Considerations 37
6.2.3 Spatial Considerations 37
6.2.4 Special Considerations 38
6.2.5 SS Sample Collection 39
6.2.6 Use of Tracer Gas to Test for Leakage during SS Sampling 40
6.3 IA Sampling 40
6.3.1 Collection of SS Samples before IA Samples 41
6.3.2 VI Resident Questionnaire 41
6.3.3 IA Sampling Prescreening 41
6.3.4 IA Sample Collection 42
6.4 Co-Located IA and Co-Located SS Air Sampling 43
6.5 Ambient Air Sampling 44
6.6 Building Basement Types 45
6.6.1 Concrete Floor 45
6.6.2 Concrete Floor with Dirt Crawl Space 46
Table of Contents
iv
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
6.6.3 Dirt Floor 46
6.6.4 Dirt Crawl Space Only 47
6.6.5 No Basement or Slab Foundation 47
6.7 Use of Mobile Laboratory or Field-Portable GC/MS 48
6.8 Data Management 49
Section 7. Communication of Sampling Results 51
7.1 How Should Building Owners be Notified of Sampling Results and the Need for a
VI Mitigation System? 51
7.2 How Should Property Value and Disclosure Concerns be Addressed? 52
7.3 How Should Community Health Concerns Be Addressed? 53
Section 8. Decision Making at Vapor Intrusion Sites 54
8.1 Generic Guidelines for Remedial and Removal Programs 54
8.1.1 Risk Levels 54
8.1.2 VI Data Used for Risk Assessment and Mitigation Decisions 55
8.2 Site Categories 1 through 5 57
8.2.1 Category 1 - No Further Action Site 61
8.2.2 Category 2 - Borderline Site 61
8.2.3 Category 3 - Remedial Site with Removal Support 62
8.2.4 Category 4 - High-Priority Removal Site 64
8.2.5 Category 5: Emergency Removal Site 64
8.3 Commercial versus Residential Screening Levels 65
8.4 VI Site-Specific Considerations 65
8.5 Mitigation Decisions Based on SS Data - Proactive Mitigation 66
8.6 Toxicology and Risk Assessment Issues 67
8.6.1 Are There Updates to Screening Tables in the 2002 Draft Guidance? 67
8.6.2 What is the Vapor AF (Alpha Value)? 67
8.6.3 What are OSWER's Recommended Default AFs? 67
8.6.4 What is the Current Approach for Assessing Risk at TCE Sites? 68
8.6.5 How Should Risk Assessors Evaluate Chemicals with No Inhalation
Toxicity Values (RfCs and IURs)? 69
8.6.6 Should Risks be Calculated for Adults and Children Separately? 69
8.6.7 Is it Appropriate to use OSHA Standards to Evaluate Worker VI Risk? . 69
8.6.8 What if VI is a Potential Risk Concern in a Non-residential Setting? 70
Section 9. Mitigation Options 71
9.1 Sealing Cracks and Holes in Concrete Floors or Walls 71
9.2 Installing SSDS on Concrete Basement Floor 71
9.3 Installing Slotted PVC Pipe over Dirt Floors and Crawl Spaces 74
9.4 Installing Other Mitigation Options for Dirt Floors 74
9.5 Installing SVE Systems 75
9.6 Frequently Asked Questions 76
Table of Contents
v
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
9.6.1 What are the Primary Considerations for Selecting a VI Mitigation
Approach? 76
9.6.2 Which Mitigation Methods Have Been Demonstrated to Work? 77
9.6.3 What is the Difference between a Construction Vapor Barrier and a VI
Barrier? 78
9.6.4 Which Diagnostic Measurements are Needed to Select and Design a
Mitigation System? 78
9.6.5 Which Tests are Appropriate to Ensure Proper Installation? 79
9.6.6 Which ICs Should be Considered to Ensure Long-term Protectiveness of
the VI Remedy? 79
Section 10. Post-Mitigation Issues 81
10.1 Post-Installation Proficiency Air Sampling 81
10.1.1 Sampling Frequency - Removal Actions (Example) 81
10.1.2 Proficiency Air Sample Result Letters 81
10.2 Proficiency Sample Failures Requiring Mitigation Upgrades 81
10.3 O&M Manual 82
10.4 Quick Guide Summary 83
10.5 Annual Inspections 83
Section 11. References 85
Table of Contents
vi
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
1 VI Pathway (ITRC 2007) 3
2 CSM of VI from Contaminated Groundwater (ITRC 2007) 5
3 Multiples Lines of Evidence and Completed Exposure Pathway Example 10
4 Temporal and Spatial Variability for 1,1-DCE in IA at the Redfield Facility 24
5 Example of Spatial Variability in SS Sampling 38
6 General Decision-Making Process Flow Chart 58
7 Decision-Making Process Flow Chart for Removal Program 59
8 Typical SSDS Layout 72
9 SVE System Installed at Behr Dayton VOC Plume Removal Site 75
Table of Contents vii October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
A
Access Agreement
B
Sampling Request Packet
C
Sample Request Letter
D
Residential Sample Reminder Form
E
Example Fact Sheets
F
REAC SOP #2082
G
Air Sampling Field Form
H
Vapor Intrusion Resident Questionnaire
I
Using the TAGA Mobile Laboratory to Resolve Vapor Intrusion Issues
J
Example Data Management Excel Spreadsheet
K
Sample Result Letter (No Further Action)
L
Meeting Reminder Form
M
Sample Result Letter (Mitigation Required)
N
PowerPoint Slides used to Explain Sampling and SSDS
0
Residential Vapor Abatement System O&M Agreement
P
U.S. EPA Vapor Abatement System Contractor Visit Reminder Form
Q
U.S. EPA Vapor Abatement System Installation Date Reminder Form
R
Example Health Consultation
S
SSDS Proficiency Sample Reminder Form
T
Proficiency Sample Result Letter - Post-Installation Sample Results
U
Example O&M Manual
V
O&M Manual Acceptance Form
w
Quick Guide
X
Mitigation System Annual Inspection Form
Table of Contents
viii
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
40 CFR Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations
[j,g/L Microgram per liter
|ig/m3 Microgram per cubic meter
AF Attenuation factor
AOC Administrative Order on Consent
ARAR Applicable or relevant and appropriate requirement
ASD Active soil depressurization
ASTM ASTM International
ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
bgs Below ground surface
BTEX Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene
CAG Community Advisory Group
CalEPA California EPA
CD Consent Decree
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act
CIC Community Involvement Coordinator
COC Chemical of concern
COR Contracting Officer Representative
CSM Conceptual site model
DCE Dichloroethene
DQO Data quality objective
Draft Guidance "OSWER Draft Guidance for Evaluating the Vapor Intrusion to Indoor Air
Pathway from Groundwater and Soils"
EDD Electronic data deliverable
EE/CA Engineering evaluation/cost analyses
EMEG Environmental Media Evaluation Guide
EP Explosion-proof
ERRS Emergency and Rapid Response Services
ERT Environmental Response Team
FAQ Frequently asked question
FID Flame ionization detector
ft2 Square foot
GC/MS Gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer
HC Health consultation
HDPE High-density polyethylene
HEPA High-efficiency particulate air
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
ix
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Hg Mercury
HI Hazard index
HQ Hazard quotient
HVAC Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
IA Indoor air
IC Institutional control
ITRC Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council
IUR Inhalation unit risk
L Liter
LEL Lower explosive limit
LNAPL Light non-aqueous phase liquid
MCL Maximum contaminant level
MMOA Mutagenic mode of action
MRL Minimum risk level
NAPL Nonaqueous-phase liquid
NCP National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan
NPL National Priorities List
NPT National Pipe Thread
O&M Operation and maintenance
OD Outside diameter
ODH Ohio Department of Health
Ohio EPA Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
OSC On-Scene Coordinator
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PCE Tetrachloroethylene
PH Petroleum hydrocarbon
PID Photoionization detector
Poly Polyethylene
ppb Part per billion
ppbv Part per billion by volume
ppmv Part per million by volume
PRP Potentially responsible party
PSV Passive soil ventilation
PVC Polyvinyl chloride
RAGS "Risk Assessment Guide to Superfund"
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RfD Reference dose
REAC Response Engineering and Analytical Contract
RPM Remedial Project Manager
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
x
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
SA
Site assessment
SAM
Site Assessment Manager
SERAS
Scientific, Engineering, Response & Analytical Services Contract
SG
Soil gas
SOP
Standard operating procedure
ss
Sub-slab
SSDS
Sub-slab depressurization system
START
Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team
SVE
Soil vapor extraction
TAGA
Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer
TCE
T ri chl oroethy 1 ene
UAO
Unilateral Administrative Order
U.S. EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
VI
Vapor intrusion
VOC
Volatile organic compound
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
xi
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Section 1. Introduction
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Region 5 Vapor Intrusion (VI)
Workgroup prepared this VI Guidebook in response to the growing number of VI sites in the
region. The VI Workgroup recognized a need to establish common procedures for investigating
and decision making at VI sites.
As of the date of this VI Guidebook, U.S. EPA has issued the following draft guidance to address
the issue of VI: "OSWER Draft Guidance for Evaluating the Vapor Intrusion to Indoor Air
Pathway from Groundwater and Soils" (Draft Guidance) (U.S. EPA 2002). In addition, U.S.
EPA Headquarters has drafted answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about VI. This VI
Guidebook is intended to be consistent with and augment current U.S. EPA national guidance.
Besides the Draft Guidance, several additional documents present a framework for choosing the
appropriate approach based on site-specific conditions, including U.S. EPA's "Brownfields
Technology Primer: Vapor Intrusion Considerations for Brownfields Redevelopment" (U.S. EPA
2008) and the Interstate Technical Regulatory Council's (ITRC) guidance document entitled
"Vapor Intrusion Pathways: A Practical Guideline" (ITRC 2007). However, this VI Guidebook
expands beyond these source documents by identifying lessons learned from U.S. EPA Region 5
VI sites, including decision-making techniques, sampling techniques, mitigation options, long-
term monitoring techniques, and lessons learned at petroleum sites.
The VI Guidebook is divided into the sections summarized below.
• Section 1 provides an introduction to the VI Guidebook.
• Section 2 discusses VI key concepts and includes a discussion of chemicals of concern
(COC) and potential VI migration pathways.
• Section 3 discusses procedures identifying VI sites in Region 5, removal actions, and
cross-program coordination, including an approach for determining how and when sites
should be transferred among Region 5 programs. The section's focus is to ensure
consistency between the Removal and Remedial Programs.
• Section 4 discusses the site screening and sampling strategy, including the three-tier
approach and sampling strategies.
• Section 5 discusses community outreach before sampling and methods to obtain access
agreements.
• Section 6 discusses the sampling methodology and procedures, including equipment
needed and procedures for SS, IA, and ambient air sampling.
• Section 7 discusses the communication of sampling results to property owners and
tenants.
• Section 8 discusses decision making at VI sites, including types of actions used at sites
and factors to consider when making mitigation choices. The section also presents a
simplified decision matrix developed by the Region 5 VI Workgroup.
• Section 9 discusses mitigation options, including sub-slab depressurization systems
(SSDS).
Section 1
1
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5 Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
• Section 10 discusses post-mitigation issues, including proficiency sampling, the
operation and maintenance (O&M) manual, and annual inspections.
• Section 11 lists references used to prepare this VI Guidebook
Section 1
2
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Section 2. Vapor Intrusion Key Concepts
This section introduces VI key concepts by answering FAQs about VI.
2.1 What is VI?
VI is the migration of volatile chemicals from the subsurface into overlying buildings. Volatile
chemicals in buried wastes and contaminated groundwater can emit vapors that may migrate
through subsurface soils and into indoor air (IA) spaces of overlying buildings in ways similar to
that of radon gas seeping into homes as shown in Figure 1 below. As the figure shows, the VI
pathway may be important for buildings both with and without basements (U.S. EPA 2002).
Commercial/Industrie! Workor
Working over Plume
R*$id«nt Living over Plume
Basement qr Crawl Space Without Basement
Incocr Air
..Vadose Zona
' Soi! Gos
Sail ond
Gi i Jwult?'
Centaminc'ion
Figure 1 - VI Pathway (ITRC 2007)
As U.S. EPA On-Scene Coordinators (OSC), Remedial Project Managers (RPM), and Site
Assessment Managers (SAM) review sites that may be impacted by VI, the conditions
summarized below are indicators (or "red flags") that VI may be occurring.
• Groundwater contaminated with chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOC) or
petroleum hydrocarbons is present within 100 feet vertically or horizontally of occupied
structures. Common chlorinated VOCs are trichloroethylene (TCE) and
tetrachloroethylene (PCE). Common petroleum hydrocarbons are benzene, toluene,
ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) compounds, light-end petroleum fractions, and
biodegradation by-products such as methane.
• Shallow soil gas (SG) samples contain the same chlorinated VOCs or petroleum
hydrocarbons observed in the contaminated groundwater plume.
• Permeable soils are present in the vadose zone. The vadose zone is defined as the soil
area between the structure and groundwater.
• Older structures above shallow groundwater contamination that, over time, have
developed cracks in concrete basement flooring or walls.
• Structures above shallow groundwater contamination that have basements with dirt floors
or crawl spaces.
Section 2
3
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
• Older structures above groundwater contamination that may not have a vapor barrier or a
"P"-trap in floor drains and sewer laterals.
2.2 Why is VI a Concern?
VI poses potential health risk to residents, workers, and other building occupants who breathe
contaminated IA. It has become clear with time and experience that building occupants inhaling
chemical vapors resulting from VI is a potential exposure pathway causing unacceptable risk at
some Superfund sites.
2.3 Where is VI a Potential Concern?
VI is a potential concern at any building, existing or planned, located near soil or groundwater
contaminated with toxic chemicals that can volatilize (ITRC 2007). Relatively low chemical
concentrations in soil or groundwater may pose a VI risk. For example, TCE groundwater
contamination as low as 200 parts per billion (ppb) in shallow groundwater (20-feet depth) has
caused a VI risk at numerous sites in Region 5. Many variables may affect VI, including current
or potential site land use, contaminant concentrations, soil type and degree of heterogeneity,
building construction and condition, the depth of contamination, and seasonal variations.
U.S. EPA's Draft Guidance defines "near" as volatile or toxic compounds within 100 feet
(laterally or vertically) of buildings unless there is a conduit that intersects the migration route
that would allow SG to migrate further than 100 feet (U.S. EPA 2002). The Draft Guidance
defines a conduit as any passageway that could facilitate flow of SG, including porous layers
such as sand or gravel, buried utility lines, and animal burrows. The 100-foot distance may not
be appropriate in all cases. If the contaminant plume is not well defined, it may be necessary to
evaluate potential pathways from a distance greater than 100 feet.
2.4 Which Chemicals Pose VI Risks?
Typical sources of VOCs associated with VI include chlorinated solvents and petroleum
products. Common chemicals of concern (COC) for VI include TCE, PCE, vinyl chloride,
carbon tetrachloride, naphthalene, and BTEX compounds. Landfill gases such as methane can
also be associated with the VI pathway for buildings located near current or former landfills and
can represent inhalation and explosion risk hazards. Degradation products also should be
evaluated for VI.
COCs for potential VI risk generally meet a threshold for volatility and may also exhibit
hazardous characteristics. High volatility generally is indicated by high partial pressures and
Henry's Law constants. It is generally accepted that VI COCs have Henry's Law constants
greater than 10"5 atmosphere-cubic-meter per mole. COCs can exhibit flammability (such as
methane) and acute toxicity (such as hydrogen sulfide).
2.5 How do VOC Vapors Migrate Indoors? What are the Pathways or Conduits
for VI Migration?
Once organic compounds are introduced into the subsurface, a complex series of fate and
transport mechanisms act upon them, potentially moving them away from the source area.
VOCs may be transported beneath buildings as a separate phase nonaqueous-phase liquid
(NAPL), dissolved in groundwater, or as a vapor in SG. Vapors typically move from areas of
high concentration to areas of low concentration and areas of high pressure to low pressure.
Section 2
4
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Once volatile contaminants are present near or beneath buildings, they migrate upward as vapor
through SG and may accumulate beneath buildings, asphalt, concrete slabs or basements. The
vapors migrate inside if there is a crack or opening in the wall or foundation of the building or if
there is an opening within a utility corridor that enters the building. Vapors can also migrate
laterally along a preferential pathway such as a utility corridor, beneath concrete or asphalt, or
within other confined passageways. Figure 2 below shows a conceptual site model (CSM) of
vapor intrusion from contaminated groundwater.
Stack
Effects
Wind
Effects
Q0I==>
Vadose
Zone
Contaminant
Advection and
Diffusion
Through
Floor-Wall
Cracks
Capillary
Fringe
Inside airflow affects migration
of contaminants into building
Enclosed Space
Contaminant
Diffusion
Through the
Vadose Zone
Dissolved Contamination in Groundwater
_
Figure 2 - CSM of VI from Contaminated Groundwater (ITRC 2007)
2.6 Is the VI Pathway Different from Other Exposure Pathways?
The VI pathway presents some unique challenges compared to other exposure pathways. Most
other exposure pathways are based on contamination in the outdoor environment. Although
actions to characterize and clean up contaminated soil or groundwater may be apparent to the
community, they typically are not invasive to the personal lives of individuals, and simple
engineering controls often can prevent adverse exposure to contaminated media. VI, on the other
hand, may involve the collection of environmental samples inside or immediately outside a
building. The process of investigating the VI pathway can be intrusive and often directly affects
occupants. In addition, products present inside the property can release VOCs and may therefore
complicate the assessment of VI sampling results.
Section 2
5
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
2.7 What is the "Multiple Lines of Evidence Approach," and How is It Useful in
Assessing the VI Pathway?
Considerable information primarily based on observation and experience has been generated
regarding evaluation of the VI pathway since the pathway emerged as a national issue in the late
1990s and especially since the publication of U.S. EPA's Draft Guidance. VI investigations have
indicated that the data set for no single medium (groundwater, SG, sub-slab [SS], or IA) can be
reliably used to fully evaluate the potential for risks from VI above health risk-based levels
because of the large number of variables affecting the transport of vapors from the subsurface to
IA and the confounding influence of indoor sources of common subsurface contaminants.
The current "state-of-the-science" technique is to collect and evaluate multiple lines of evidence
to support decision making regarding the VI pathway. Lines of evidence to evaluate the VI
pathway can include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Groundwater data: including some level of vertical and spatial profiling as appropriate
• SG data, including some level of vertical and spatial profiling as appropriate
• SS (or crawl-space) SG data
• IA data
• Concurrent outdoor air data
• Background, internal, and external source data
• Information about building construction and current conditions, including utility conduits
• Site geology and history
• Tracer data
By using the "multiple lines of evidence approach," project managers usually have been
successful in determining if the VI exposure pathway is complete and if any elevated levels of
contaminants in IA likely are caused by subsurface VI, an indoor source (such as a consumer
product), or an outdoor source. Generally, site conditions determine the number of lines of
evidence that provide enough information for decision making. For example, when groundwater
and SS concentrations are low and SS data is non-detect, project managers could determine that
the VI exposure pathway is not complete based on relatively few lines of evidence. Coordination
with a risk assessor and hydrogeologist generally is very useful in evaluating multiple lines of
evidence.
An example project that used the multiple lines of evidence approach is discussed below.
Example Project: Multiple Lines of Evidence Approach
Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site, Dayton, Ohio
VI occurs when there is a direct connection between identified concentrations of chlorinated
organic compounds or petroleum hydrocarbons in groundwater, SG, SS, and IA. If specific
chlorinated organic compounds or petroleum hydrocarbons are identified in groundwater, SG, SS
(at concentrations exceeding site screening levels), and IA (at concentrations exceeding site
screening levels and not due to an IA source, resident lifestyle, or ambient air impacts), the VI
Section 2
6
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
exposure pathway is complete. Once the pathway has been identified as complete, mitigation or
remediation activities should be considered to reduce exposure within the structure.
The four steps summarized below describe how the multiple lines of evidence approach were
applied to the Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site, followed by a summary.
First Step - Groundwater Sampling
Groundwater sampling was conducted to determine if there was (1) groundwater contamination
within 100 feet of properties and (2) a high probability that groundwater contamination was
present beneath the properties. If applicable, existing groundwater sampling data should be
examined. If there are no existing data or existing data are inadequate, groundwater sampling
may be necessary.
In this site example, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) conducted the
groundwater sampling. The sampling results indicated TCE in groundwater at concentrations as
high as 3,900 ppb beneath residential properties. The groundwater depth was approximately 20
feet below ground surface (bgs).
First Step - Geoprobe obtaining a groundwater sample
Second Step - SG Sampling
At the Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site, TCE concentrations as high as 3,900 ppb were detected
in groundwater samples. Because TCE was detected in shallow groundwater, Ohio EPA then
conducted SG sampling to determine if TCE vapors were migrating vertically from the surface of
the contaminated groundwater. Sampling results indicated TCE SG concentrations as high as
160,000 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) (859,877 micrograms per cubic meter [|ig/rrr]) at
locations next to residential properties.
Section 2
7
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Second Step conclusion: TCE groundwater contamination was linked to SG contamination near
residential areas. The next step was to obtain residential SS samples.
Second Step - Geoprobe conducting SG sampling approximately 1 foot above groundwater
surface (20 feet bgs)
Third Step - SS Sampling
Ohio EPA SG sampling documented TCE concentrations as high as 160,000 ppbv. Because
TCE was detected in shallow groundwater and SG at elevated levels, Ohio EPA referred the site
to U.S. EPA for a removal action investigation. U.S. EPA then conducted the third step in the
multiple lines of evidence approach to VI investigation, the collection of SS samples from
properties adjacent to where Ohio EPA collected the SG samples. U.S. EPA documented TCE
concentrations as high as 62,000 ppbv (333,202 ug/m ) in SS samples. The Ohio Department of
Health (ODH) established a TCE site-specific SS screening level of 4 ppbv (21.5 |ig/nr).
Third Step conclusion: TCE groundwater contamination and SG contamination linked in Steps 1
and 2, was now linked to residential SS contamination above ODH screening levels. The next
step was to obtain IA samples.
Section 2
8
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Third Step - Residential SS sampling using sampling probe and SUMMA canister
Fourth Step - IA Sampling
U.S. EPA documented TCE concentrations as high as 62,000 ppbv in the SS samples. Once U.S.
EPA determined that TCE concentrations in the SS samples exceeded the SS screening level,
U.S. EPA collected IA samples. The IA samples documented TCE at concentrations as high as
260 ppbv (1,397 pg/m3). The ODH established a TCE IA screening level of 0.4 ppbv (2.15
|ig/m3).
Fourth Step - Residential IA air sampling
Section 2
9
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Fourth Step conclusion: TCE groundwater contamination linked to SG, SS, and IA
contamination above ODH-recommended SS and IA screening levels. Using multiple lines of
evidence, a completed exposure pathway was documented and a removal action was initiated.
Note: Simultaneous collection of the SS and IA samples may expedite the decision-making
process and reduce the amount of time needed to access a property.
Summary
At the Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site, TCE was the main COC. Groundwater was present at
approximately 20 feet bgs in a residential area, extending 0.5 mile from the source. TCE was
detected in groundwater samples from a residential neighborhood at concentrations as high as
3,900 ppb. SG samples collected by the Ohio EPA from next to homes within the area of
concern contained TCE concentrations as high as 160,000 ppbv. U.S. EPA then collected SS
samples from homes within the area of concern and detected TCE concentrations as high as
62,000 ppbv. The ODH (through ATSDR) established a TCE SS screening level of 4 ppbv (21.5
jig/m ). U.S. EPA then collected IA samples from homes within the area of concern and
detected TCE at concentrations as high as 260 ppbv (1,397 j.ig/nr). The ODH established a TCE
IA screening level of 0.4 ppbv (2.15 ug/nf). Because TCE was observed in the groundwater,
soil gas, SS, and IA and concentrations that exceeded the TCE screening levels, ODH and the
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) determined that a "completed
exposure pathway" existed and that mitigation to reduce TCE exposure was necessary. Figure 3
below illustrates the multiple lines of evidence approach and the completed exposure pathway.
(jthwI SCpnCK,
Storage Tank
|ChKtn»r.al I ttak
water
Soil Gas TCE = 160,000 ppbv
(859,877 fig/m3)
Groundwater TCE =
3,900 ppb
Sub-Slab TCE = 62,000 ppbv
(333,202 jig/m3)
j-Groundwater
Indoor Air TCE
(1,397 fig/m3)
= 260 ppbv
Figure 3 - Multiples Lines of Evidence and Completed Exposure Pathway Example
Section 2
10
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Section 3. Site Identification, Removal Actions, and
Cross-Program Coordination
U.S. EPA Region 5 identified the need to establish an approach for addressing VI sites and
coordinating among Superfund programs, particularly for National Priorities List (NPL) sites
being transferred from the Remedial Program to the Removal Program (and vice versa). To
ensure consistency, it is critically important that effective communications are maintained
between all Region 5 programs. Additionally, the Superfund Site Assessment (SA) Team should
receive guidance on VI site recognition, including cost-effective methods to perform limited
investigation of these sites if needed.
This section discusses VI site identification, VI site removal actions, and cross-program
coordination for VI sites.
3.1 Site Identification
This section discusses VI site identification programs and recommendations.
3.1.1 Site Identification Programs
As for other risk pathways, the potential for unacceptable VI risks may bring a site to U.S. EPA's
attention through a number of programs as summarized below.
• SA Program - SA Program staff may identify a possible VI issue at a site based on
general environmental program experience and familiarity with VI guidance documents.
To date, SA staff have not arranged for VI investigative work because the Hazard
Ranking System model does not currently allow for consideration of the VI pathway for
the purposes of scoring a site (U.S. EPA 2009). Under the SA Program, a site may pass
to the Removal Program if the SAM believes that follow-up VI investigative work is
needed. The Removal Program can use experienced Superfund Technical Assessment
and Response Team (START) contractor personnel or U.S. EPA Environmental
Response Team (ERT) resources to collect SS and IA samples.
U.S. EPA Region 5 has identified the need to assist SA staff in identifying potential VI
sites and performing relatively inexpensive investigative activities (such as Geoprobe
sampling) to identify VI sites.
• Remedial Program - Generally, sites are identified for potential VI work during the
remedial investigation. If the potential for VI is identified after the Record of Decision,
then follow-up usually occurs during the 5-year review process. In some cases, sites are
investigated earlier if groundwater or SG monitoring results suggests the need for more
timely VI activities. The RPM and support staff identify the need to perform a VI
investigation and proceed as necessary. Professional knowledge and experience,
familiarity with the Draft Guidance (U.S. EPA 2002) and the ITRC guideline (ITRC
2007), and review of supporting technical documents generally provide the basis for the
decision to proceed (U.S. EPA 2009).
• Removal Program - Sites commonly are identified through referral by other U.S. EPA
Region 5 programs, state environmental agencies, or local agencies. Additionally, the
Remedial Program may request assistance with potential time-critical components for an
NPL site discovered during the 5-year review process. Either the receiving OSC or
Section 3
11
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Removal Manager (or both) evaluates the incoming request for assistance and determines
the need for follow-up. Ohio EPA (for example) has requested U.S. EPA Removal
Program assistance after collecting groundwater and SG data. Ohio EPA has then
requested U.S. EPA Removal Program assistance in conducting an independent analysis
of SS and IA to determine if a completed exposure pathway exists. Based on the results,
a site may be assigned to an OSC and, in discussion with Removal Program management,
a general course of action is determined. After site investigation, the site may also be
transferred from the Removal Program to the Remedial Program for follow-up. For
example, levels of contamination may not justify a removal action, but an existing health
hazard may need to be addressed under the Remedial Program.
• Brownfields Program - Brownfields Program personnel may identify a potential VI
issue based on experience and familiarity with VI guidance. If a VI concern is identified,
the Brownfields Project Officer may bring the site to the attention of the local entity
administering the Brownfields grant. By raising awareness, the Project Officer may be
able to identify a potential VI site and actively work with Brownfields Program grant
recipients to address the problem through the grant assessment process (U.S. EPA 2009).
It may be advisable for Brownfields Program staff to review selected guidance
documents. U.S. EPA's "Brownfields Technology Primer: Vapor Intrusion
Considerations for Brownfields Redevelopment" (U.S. EPA 2008) provides a useful
introduction to VI issues.
Generally, Brownfields Program staff should notify the SA or Removal Program if it
becomes aware of a VOC groundwater plume that extends to residential areas beyond the
boundaries of a Brownfields development site.
3.1.2 Site Identification Recommendations
Determining if a VI investigation is warranted at a site is not always easy considering factors
such as the time and resources likely to be expended, difficulties with residential access, and
questions about the relative contribution of residential sources to IA concentrations of volatile
chemicals (such as dry-cleaned clothes in the basement or the presence of gas or paint cans in the
garage or basement). Despite these constraints, Region 5 staff must decide how to evaluate this
potential exposure threat, which may be significant at specific sites.
The general recommendations discussed below apply to the identification of VI sites in
Region 5. U.S. EPA OSCs, RPMs, and SAMs are strongly encouraged to review one or
more of these recommendations and at least be familiar with the 2002 Draft U.S. EPA Guidance
and the ITRC 2007 guidance. General recommendations reflecting currently accepted opinions
about investigation methods and approaches are presented later in this VI Guidebook. It should
be noted that a connection must be made from contaminated groundwater, SG, SS, and IA (the
multiple lines of evidence approach). Short-cutting this approach is not recommended.
1. OSCs, RPMs, and SAMs should use a conservative approach when determining if a
VI investigation is warranted at a site. In general, a VI investigation should be
considered if (1) a site has groundwater contamination where concentrations of one or
more volatile chemicals exceed the drinking water maximum contaminant level (MCL)
or other risk-based concentration values and (2) occupied buildings are located above or
Section 3
12
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
within 100 feet laterally from the surface footprint of the contaminant plume (U.S. EPA
2009). For example, several southwest Ohio VI sites with sand-and-gravel aquifers and
shallow (less than 20 feet bgs) groundwater containing VOCs at concentrations
exceeding 200 ppb, correlated to a completed exposure pathway to nearby residences. In
addition, if a building is located above subsurface soil VOC contamination, a VI
investigation may be warranted.
When vacant property at an NPL site lies above VOC-contaminated groundwater or
subsurface soil and buildings may be installed under a future-use scenario, Remedial
Program personnel should evaluate the need for institutional controls (IC) to control
future risk. ICs could include future VI investigation or the incorporation of VI
mitigation systems or vapor barriers in design planning for future structures (U.S. EPA
2009).
Note: Homes with existing radon mitigation systems generally will not require a VI
evaluation, although (1) SAMs should consider investigating operational factors to ensure
that the system is working effectively and (2) RPMs should consider if continued
operation of the system should be included in the site remedy.
2. U.S. EPA OSCs, RPMs, and SAMs should consult ATSDR (or risk assessor) for the
latest SS and IA site-specific screening levels. The Draft Guidance provides screening
values for determining the need for a VI investigation based on SG and groundwater
concentrations for specific chemicals. However, based on research since the 2002 Draft
Guidance was issued, it is now recognized that the use of generic screening levels may
inadvertently overlook some Vl-related issues. Specifically, research has shown that VI
depends not only on chemical concentrations in groundwater or soil but also on the
additional site-specific characteristics discussed below (U.S. EPA 2009).
For any specific site, factors (such as soil type, soil moisture content, subsurface or
geologic conduits, building construction, pressure differentials, and other variables) either
increase or decrease the likelihood of vapor migration and affect the appropriateness of
the use of screening values. Geologic factors (such as the presence of a sand-and-gravel
aquifer or a high water table) tend to further reduce confidence in the use of generic
screening values (U.S. EPA 2009). The U.S. EPA Region 5 project manager should
evaluate these factors and seek the assistance of hydrogeologists, geologists, soil
scientists, or other specialists experienced in VI investigations.
3. OSCs, RPMs, and SAMs should use the nation-wide draft "Vapor Intrusion
Database" as appropriate. U.S. EPA has compiled the draft "Vapor Intrusion
Database" for additional information on attenuation when vapors migrate from
subsurface sources to IA. The database is intended to help the OSCs, RPMs, and SAMs
determine a course of action. The database currently contains IA measurements of VOCs
paired with groundwater, SG, and SS measurements for over 913 buildings from more
than 41 sites in 15 states. Currently, the database contains over 2,989 paired
measurements, of which 35 percent are paired groundwater and IA measurements, 8
percent are paired SG and IA measurements, 53 percent are paired SS and IA
measurements, and 4 percent are paired crawl space and IA measurements (U.S. EPA
2009).
The database was made available in March 2008 and is described in a draft report entitled
Section 3
13
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
"Preliminary Evaluation of Attenuation Factors" (under "Other Documents") at
http://iavi.rti.org/login.cfm (obtain a login identification and password in order to gain
access to the database) (RTI2008). The database is intended to (1) provide a tool for
users to better understand Vl-related attenuation; (2) enable more informed decisions
about how to proceed at individual sites; and (3) assist U.S. EPA, states, and other
practitioners in evaluating and improving predictive models and screening algorithms for
the VI pathway (U.S. EPA 2009).
4. OSCs, RPMs, or SAMs assigned to a potential VI site should have collective
discussions with members of the VI Workgroup. The U.S. EPA Region 5 VI
Workgroup can offer suggestions based on individual experience and knowledge gained
from efforts to keep up to date on VI practices and current ideas. The workgroup can
also reach out to experts to assist with specific issues. The Foreword of this VI
Guidebook lists workgroup contacts.
3.2 Removal Actions
This section discusses removal actions at VI sites, including removal action triggers for VI sites
and RPM and OSC removal action roles.
3.2.1 Removal Action Triggers for VI Sites
An OSC or RPM can decide to begin a removal action (such as a mitigation system) based on
site-specific conditions in accordance with the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution
Contingency Plan (NCP). Typically, SS and IA results trigger a removal action as
summarized below.
• Site-related contaminants are identified in SS and IA that constitute an
unacceptable threat to human health: An unacceptable risk is defined as (1) a cancer
risk greater than 10"4, (2) a non-cancer risk resulting in a hazard index (HI) greater than
1.0, or (3) the presences of compounds resulting in a lower explosive limit (LEL) greater
than 10 percent. In some cases, cancer risk levels of 10"5 will also ultimately require
mitigation measures (see Section 8.1).
• Multiple-lines of evidence indicate that IA contaminants are from VI: Multiple lines
of evidence can include groundwater, SG data, and historical site information that are
linked to SS and IA contamination. Concentrations of site-related contaminants in IA
must result from VI at and from the site and not from indoor sources or ambient air.
It is important to document groundwater, SG, SS, outdoor ambient air, and IA contamination, in
this order. Not "connecting the dots" in this order may lead to the conclusion that VI risks exist
when in fact a residential IA contaminant (such as recently dry-cleaned clothes in the basement
or the presence of gas or paint cans in the garage) is the source.
In addition, the Removal Program routinely requests SS and IA screening levels from ATSDR,
with input from state health departments. For example, in 2009 at the Behr Dayton VOC
Removal Site, the residential TCE SS screening level was set at 4 ppbv (21.5 |ig/m3) and the
TCE IA screening level was set at 0.4 ppbv (2.15 (j,g/m3). If the SS TCE screening level was
exceeded, then an IA sample was collected. If the residential TCE IA screening level was
exceeded and TCE was observed in SG and shallow groundwater, then mitigation was
considered warranted.
Section 3
14
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
3.2.2 RPM and OSC Removal Action Roles
This section discusses the roles of the RPM and OSC in VI site removal actions.
Role of the RPM
Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCLA) at Title 42 of the United States Code, Sections 9601 et seq., Section 300.5 of the
NCP, and Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR), Part 300 et seq., the RPM is
defined as "the official designated by the lead agency to coordinate, monitor, or direct remedial
or other response [emphasis added] actions under Subpart E of the NCP." The NCP defines
"response" as the "remove, removal, remedy, or remedial action, including enforcement
activities related thereto" (40 CFR Section 300.5). The RPM assigned to the site has the
authority to implement removal actions in accordance with the NCP (U.S. EPA 2009).
An RPM may conclude that a threat to public health exists because of the actual or potential
exposure of nearby human populations to hazardous substances based on site-specific
information such as groundwater, SG, SS, and IA data; site historical information (location of
contamination source areas); and other information (U.S. EPA 2009).
If an RPM in consultation with his or her technical support team concludes that a removal action
is warranted at a site to address VI, the RPM should consult with his or her manager about the
site-specific situation and recommendations. If the manager concurs that a removal action is
warranted, the RPM should coordinate the preparation of one of the two decision-
document/funding paths summarized below (U.S. EPA 2009).
• Potentially Responsible Party (PRPVlead path: U.S. EPA generally prefers to have
removal actions performed by the PRPs when appropriate. Removal actions can
sometimes be required pursuant to an existing Consent Decree (CD), Unilateral
Administrative Order (UAO), or Administrative Order on Consent (AOC). In other
cases, a separate UAO or AOC may be issued. In this case, the UAO or AOC generally
should include an imminent and substantial endangerment finding. The Order also
should address the work to be performed, schedules, cost recovery, and other
deliverables. Normally, the OSC requests the development of the Order by enforcement
support staff in coordination with a technical review team (such as geologists and
toxicologists), the Office of Regional Counsel, and U.S. EPA management staff (U.S.
EPA 2009).
Note: For PRP-lead actions at Fund-lead action sites, to maintain consistency, VI
standard operating procedures (SOP) should be followed, such as the U.S. EPA ERT SS
probe installation procedures, IA sampling procedures, mitigation procedures, and other
procedures discussed in this VI Guidebook.
• Fund-lead path: At sites where a PRP-lead action is not possible, an appropriate
decision document such as an Action Memorandum should be prepared to use U.S. EPA
resources to perform removal actions, Coordination between the Remedial and Removal
Programs should occur as discussed below.
- Funding: Fund-lead removal actions typically are performed using Removal
Program monies. Therefore, for a Fund-lead removal action necessary to address VI
at a site undergoing remedial response, coordination likely will be necessary among
Section 3
15
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
the RPM, remedial management staff, and removal management staff to define the
scope of the removal action, the anticipated schedule for the work, and resources
necessary to implement the removal action (U.S. EPA 2009).
- Documentation: Except during an emergency, a signed Action Memorandum is the
appropriate U.S. EPA decision document to implement a Fund-lead, time-critical
removal action addressing VI. Typically, the RPM should develop the Action
Memorandum in coordination with the technical review team (geologists,
toxicologists, and other personnel), the Office of Regional Counsel, and U.S. EPA
remedial and removal management staff. In an emergency (such as liquid chemical
migration into basements, VOCs detected at part-per-million levels in IA using hand-
held instruments, etc.), an OSC likely will initiate an action using the OSC's
emergency authority and contracting capabilities. Emergency authority is granted
only to the OSC. After initiation of the action, the OSC typically coordinates future
activities with the RPM (U.S. EPA 2009).
Role of the OSC
The role of an OSC during the implementation of removal actions at a site with ongoing remedial
response varies based on the site and action. Depending on project needs, the OSC's role may be
central (such as direct coordination of a large VI removal action at a non-NPL Fund-lead Site or
implementation of an emergency response) or minimal (such as when an RPM acts as the "EPA
Project Coordinator" at an NPL site for a PRP-lead removal action addressing VI pursuant to an
AOC). The OSC has unique and valuable experience with the removal process, including the
mitigation of time-critical threats posed to human health from hazardous substances and the
oversight of response contractors in the field. Therefore, RPMs may find it very beneficial to
partner and coordinate with an OSC for removal actions to address VI, even though the RPM
may directly coordinate the response. Section 3.3.2 discusses coordination between RPMs and
OSCs in more detail.
The role of an OSC at a site with ongoing remedial response should be outlined early in the
process in coordination with U.S. EPA Remedial and Removal Program management staff.
Remedial and Removal Program management staff should periodically and collectively meet
with their respective staff to discuss work efforts and work allocations at VI sites where both the
Removal and Remedial Programs are actively involved (U.S. EPA 2009).
3.3 Cross-Program Coordination
Site-specific coordination between Region 5 programs has long been standard practice and
should continue for VI sites. However, some general guidelines are advisable in light of the
expected increase in the number of VI sites, potential resource issues, and the different health
threat criteria used by the various programs for implementing mitigation actions. Additionally,
standardization of SS and IA screening levels used by state health departments should be a future
goal because OSCs (and ATSDR) often rely on these health departments to help establish
screening levels.
This section discusses cross-program transfers of VI sites and cross-program coordination
recommendations.
Section 3
16
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
3.3.1 Cross-Program Transfers of VI Sites
Within the past several years, a number of NPL sites have been transferred from the Remedial to
the Removal Program because VI was identified as a potential exposure pathway. These
transfers generally occurred after Remedial Program staff performed SG or SS sampling for
VOCs during remedial investigations. The sites generally were transferred to the Removal
Program because sampling results indicated levels suspected of warranting IA sampling or
mitigation actions by OSCs. At these sites, in the absence of established guidelines or policy, the
involved RPMs, OSCs, and respective management staff determined how the work activities
would be apportioned between them on a site-by-site basis (U.S. EPA 2009).
Additionally, some Region 5 removal sites (such as the Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site and the
East Troy Aquifer Site) have been transferred to the Remedial Program after the OSC conducted
extensive residential SS and IA sampling and after the installation of residential vapor abatement
mitigation systems. Although these removal activities protect public health in the short term (as
long as the vapor abatement mitigation system functions properly), Remedial Program assistance
was needed to address the VI source (groundwater contamination).
More recently, the SA Program has recognized potential VI issues at a few sites and has brought
these issues to the attention of the Removal Program. This practice may occur more often in the
future (U.S. EPA 2009).
3.3.2 Cross-Program Coordination Recommendations
This section discusses coordination recommendations between various personnel in different
programs.
Coordination Between RPMs and OSCs
As discussed in Section 3.2.2, because of the OSC's unique and valuable experience with the
removal process RPMs may find it very beneficial to partner and coordinate with an OSC for
removal actions to address VI, even though the RPM may directly coordinate the response.
When a Removal Program ERRS contractor is used for response work, the OSC's involvement
may be essential for specific contract purposes, although the RPM can coordinate much of the
work as a COR (U.S. EPA 2009). In all cases, the VI site removal approach used (enforcement-
or Fund-lead) should first be weighed against the urgency of the threat posed. If the RPM
believes that a situation is an emergency, consultation with an OSC should occur immediately to
expedite a potential emergency removal action.
Coordination Between SAMs and OSCs
The process of requesting Removal Program assistance at a site should follow normal procedures
performed for any site where SAMs believe a removal assessment or action is warranted.
Generally, the SAM should discuss his or her evaluation of the need for Removal Program
involvement with his or her SA Program manager, who in turn will approach the appropriate
Removal Program manager. The Removal Program manager likely will review available
information with an OSC and determine if the need for Removal Program follow-up is needed
(U.S. EPA 2009).
If requested by SA management staff, the U.S. EPA VI Workgroup can meet with SA Program
staff to assist in identifying VI sites, discuss new VI concepts and practices, and present potential
investigative techniques for SA sites (U.S. EPA 2009).
Section 3
17
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
When an OSC closes out a VI site after an SA investigation or removal action, the site cannot
then be referred back to the SA Program for NPL consideration solely based on the VI pathway.
Unlike the situation for removal sites with more common exposure pathways (soil and water
ingestion or dermal contact and outside air inhalation), there will be little chance for the
Remedial Program to conduct follow-up at a VI site to address residual contamination that could
pose longer-term health risk if VI is the only pathway of concern. The OSC should consider this
limitation when evaluating health risk criteria at a removal site and the need for mitigation (U.S.
EPA 2009).
Coordination Between SAMs and RPMs
For sites identified because of issues other than VI, the SAM assigned to the site may be aware
of a potential VI problem and wish to bring the problem to the attention of the Remedial
Response Sections. In such cases, the SAM can alert the RPM about the possibility of VI, which
the RPM can incorporate into investigative planning for the site.
Coordination Between Brownfields Staff and OSCs
A Brownfields Project Officer should discuss the need for Removal Program involvement at a
potential VI site with the Brownfields Program supervisor. If the decision is made to investigate
VI issues, the process should closely follow the normal process between SA and Removal
Program staff. The Removal Program generally should defer to Brownfields staff for
coordination of any field work in light of the partnerships developed by the Brownfields staff
with local governments and the possible stigma that Removal Program involvement could bring
upon a site. Moreover, the Brownfields Project Officer may independently consult with the
Region 5 VI Workgroup, U.S. EPA risk assessors, or the ATSDR for technical advice when
evaluating a potential VI site (U.S. EPA 2009).
Section 3
18
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Section 4. Site Screening and Sampling Strategy
This section discusses the site screening and sampling strategy by answering some FAQs
regarding screening and sampling.
4.1 How Should Initial Screening be Conducted?
U.S. EPA's Draft Guidance includes a tiered approach to assessment that involves increasing
levels of complexity and specificity to conduct an initial screening analysis. At sites with no
ongoing remedial response action, state agencies typically conduct a Tier 1 and 2 evaluation
before referring the site to U.S. EPA for a removal action. For sites with ongoing remedial
actions, an RPM typically conducts a Tier 1 and 2 evaluation as part of a remedial investigation
or 5-year review. Tier 1, 2, and 3 evaluations are summarized below.
• Tier 1 - Information from primary, or Tier 1, screening is designed to be used with
general knowledge of a site and chemicals known or reasonably suspected to be present
in the subsurface. Tier 1 screening does not call for specific media concentration
measurements for each COC. Because this level of screening is based on basic physical
factors, "screen-outs" in Tier 1 generally remain appropriate throughout the screening
process.
• Tier 2 - Secondary, or Tier 2, screening is designed to be used with limited site-specific
information about contamination sources (including media-specific contaminant
concentrations) and subsurface conditions (such as depth to groundwater, site geology,
and SG information) to estimate IA concentrations resulting from the attenuation of COC
concentrations along the vapor migration pathway. U.S. EPA observations and
experiences since 2002 have increased awareness of the degree of variability and
uncertainty involved with predicting IA concentrations using external measurements and
has generally shown the inappropriateness of the single-line-of-evidence "screen-outs"
suggested under Tier 2 in the 2002 U.S. EPA Draft Guidance.
• Tier 3 - Site-specific, or Tier 3, pathway assessment involves collecting more detailed
site-specific information and more specifically calls for the collection of building-specific
SS and/or IA samples to assess VI. U.S. EPA observations and experiences since 2002
have reinforced the importance of collecting interior and structure samples to assess VI
impacts.
4.2 Is There a Generally Accepted VI Investigation Sampling Strategy?
A site-specific VI sampling strategy should be developed in consultation with the site team (such
as the OSC, RPM, SAM, risk assessors, hydrogeologists, and geologists) in conjunction with
appropriate regional laboratory personnel. This approach ensures that the CSM is used to
develop the sampling strategy and that the appropriate data quality objectives (DQO) are
incorporated. The investigation of VI sites involves collecting data to support "multiple lines of
evidence" as discussed in Section 2.7. A brief summary of the investigation strategy is provided
below.
• Source Investigation - VI sources can include soil or groundwater contamination but
also may include dry wells, underground storage tanks, lagoons, landfills, etc. Source
investigation can include the evaluations summarized below.
Section 4
19
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
- An SG survey can be conducted to quickly locate the source and narrow the areal
extent of the impacted area. Field analysis using a mobile laboratory or the U.S. EPA
ERT's Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) mobile laboratory can provide real-
time guidance for determining additional sampling locations. Samples also can be
submitted for laboratory analysis.
- A geophysical survey can be conducted to determine the locations of buried drums,
tanks, etc.
- Soil sampling can be conducted using membrane interface probes, direct-push rods,
and multi-incremental sampling.
- Groundwater observation wells can be installed at strategic locations to assess
groundwater flow and contaminant concentrations.
• SG Sampling - SG sampling locations should be based on the draft CSM developed
during the source investigation. SG concentrations can be measured using permanent soil
gas probes complete with manhole covers for multiple sampling rounds or temporary
holes installed using a slam-bar or Geoprobe. Sampling can be conducted using
absorption tubes or whole-air collectors such as Tedlar bags or SUMMA canisters.
Again, field analyses using the TAGA mobile laboratory or an alternate mobile
laboratory can provide real-time guidance for determining additional sampling locations.
Note: Although SG data provides important information, generally SG sampling should
not be used to estimate IA levels of contaminants, especially for residences and public
buildings.
• SS Sampling - SS samples provide strong evidence of a VI threat. Permanent sampling
ports allow multiple sampling rounds. Section 6.2 of this VI Guidebook describes the
collection of SS samples.
• IA Sampling - IA samples provide critical information needed to determine if a
complete pathway exists and if a site requires mitigation. Section 6.3 of this VI
Guidebook describes the collection of IA samples.
• Outside or Ambient Air Sampling - Outside or ambient air samples provide
information needed to determine if IA is being impacted by outside ambient air or other
sources.
4.3 Which Sample Collection Techniques are Available?
Several types of sample collection techniques are commonly available, including the use of
SUMMA canisters, Tedlar bags, and adsorption tubes. Each sample collection technique is
briefly discussed below. The selection of the appropriate technique depends on the COCs, the
required detection limits, and the project DQOs. Consultation with appropriate sampling,
laboratory, ERT, and risk assessment personnel is strongly recommended before the sampling
plan is developed. Additional sampling information is presented in Appendix D of the ITRC VI
guidance (ITRC 2007), the ERT SOPs (website address
http://www.epaosc.org/site profile.asp?site id=2107). and U.S. EPA's Forum on Environmental
Measures (website address http://www.epa.gov/fem/methcollectns.htm).
Section 4
20
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
4.3.1 SUMMA Canisters
SUMMA canisters are spherical or cylindrical stainless-steel air
sampling devices. SUMMA canisters are cleaned and evacuated
(i.e., has a negative pressure gauge scale reading) at the laboratory
before deployment. The canisters are supplied with a controller to
control the flow of air into the canister over the time duration set
for the sampling task. Typically, in residential settings, SS and/or
IA samples are collected over 24 hours using a 6-liter (L) SUMMA
canister. Commercial and industrial settings may have other
sampling periods (such 8 hours) to reflect the time of occupancy,
requiring the flow controller to be set for a different flow rate. The sampling team must
coordinate with the laboratory to ensure that the flow controllers are set at the appropriate flow
rate. Sample collection staff must record the initial and final pressure of the cani ster. Sections
6.2.5 and 6.3.4 discuss SS and IA sampling using SUMMA canisters in detail.
Note: SUMMA is a specific manufacturer, but "SUMMA canister" is a term that has come into
common use for any similar air sampling device. U.S. EPA's use of the term does not imply
endorsement of any particular manufacturer.
4.3.2 Tedlar Bags
Tedlar bags are polymeric sampling bags
effective for collecting grab samples for the
analysis of certain VOCs in SG. The
holding times for Tedlar bag samples are
considerably more limited than for SUMMA
canisters because of surface and
permeability issues. Because Tedlar bag
samples have limited holding times, the
samples should be analyzed on site to
reduce the period between sampling and
analysis. If the samples are transported to
an off-site laboratory, holding times should
be considered to ensure that the samples are
analyzed within 24 hours of collection. If samples are shipped by air, they must be transported
in an air-tight container or with a reduced volume to avoid rupture of the Tedlar bags from in-
flight pressure changes. Samples containing compounds with high concentrations or low
molecular weights and high vapor pressures may diffuse out of the Tedlar bags and into Tedlar
bags containing lower concentrations, resulting in samples with lower and higher concentrations
than the initial concentrations.
Before sample collection, Tedlar bags should be baked and flushed with nitrogen by the sampler
to lower concentrations of volatile compounds associated with the Tedlar bags themselves (such
as dimethyl acid amide, toluene, etc.). Tedlar bag samples should be collected as grab samples
and not as time-weighted samples. In addition, the samples should be collected using a vacuum
box and not a peristaltic pump.
Note: Tedlar is a specific manufacturer, but "Tedlar bag" is a term that has come into common
Section 4
21
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
use for any similar air sampling device. U.S. EPA's use of the term does not imply endorsement
of any particular manufacturer.
4.3.3 Adsorption Tubes
Adsorption tubes are cylinders packed with adsorptive material that can be used in active or
passive mode. Adsorption tubes can be used to identify the presence of a high-concentration
contaminant. In an active mode, air is drawn through the tubes and the target compounds are
adsorbed onto the enclosed matrix material. Adsorptive material selection is based on the
material to be adsorbed and retained until released for analysis (such as thermal desorption,
solvent extraction, and other analysis). Proper selection of sorbent material for sample collection
is critical. Sample collection is performed at a designated volumetric flow rate for a prescribed
period. Sample collection at flow rates faster than tube rating may result in erroneous results.
Similarly, too short of a sampling period may result in insufficient target compound material to
analyze using the prescribed method and too long of a sampling period may result in
breakthrough in the sampling medium by the target material. Passive adsorption tubes are
currently being evaluated but are not recommended at this time for quantitative analysis.
4.4 Which Types of Samples are Collected to Assess for VI, and What are the
Sampling Methods?
Sampling options for assessing VI include the following:
• Groundwater sampling
• SG sampling
• Passive SG surveys
• SS sampling beneath buildings,
• Crawl-space sampling
• IA sampling
• Outside ambient air sampling.
The U.S. EPA ERT's SOPs provide details for each sampling method (available to OSCs at
website address http://www.epaosc.org/site profile.asp?site id=2107). The 2007 ITRC
guidance document also discusses sampling methods in detail (ITRC 2007). The VI team
(including the OSC, RPM, SAM, hydrogeologists, geologists, and risk assessors) should select
the type(s) of samples to be collected from a specific site based on the CSM. Consultation with
regional laboratory personnel also is recommended to ensure that (1) the appropriate sampling
and analytical methods are selected and (2) the laboratory detection limits allow sample results to
be compared to specific VI screening levels.
4.5 What Other Sampling Factors Should be Considered?
Besides sample collection techniques and types, a number of other sampling factors must be
considered before sampling is performed. First and most importantly, the COCs must be
identified. Many OSCs and RPMs choose to request a specific targeted list of COCs based on
site history and known contamination in groundwater, SG, or SS. An extensive list of requested
analytes that are not site-related but that may be present in IA because of consumer use creates
Section 4
22
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
the potential for confusion in risk communication. For example, if the site history and
subsurface data do not include benzene, OSCs and RPMs should exclude benzene as a target
analyte because the benzene source could be from a car, lawnmower, or snow blower in the
garage or basement. However, targeted analytes should include degradation products. For
example, for a PCE or TCE site, an OSC or RPM can choose PCE; TCE; cis-l,2-dichloroethene
(DCE); trans-1,2- DCE; and vinyl chloride because these analytes include the primary COCs and
their degradation products. The appropriate laboratory personnel should be contacted for
questions about specific compound detection and reporting limits.
Second, DQOs must be clearly determined, including specific decisions to be made based on the
data collected, detection limits necessary to determine the presence of risk, and other DQO-
related factors. The DQOs help ensure that the appropriate sample collection techniques (such as
SUMMA canisters, Tedlar bags, and adsorption tubes) and associated analytical methods (such
as U.S. EPA Method TO-15 for SUMMA canisters and U.S. EPA Method TO-14 for Tedlar
bags) are selected. These methods should be selected carefully to ensure that the appropriate
detection limits can be achieved.
Third, it is important to determine the duration of the sampling period. The sampling period
should be selected so that the samples are representative of site-specific conditions and useful in
risk assessment. A risk assessor can be consulted to assist in making this determination before
sampling begins.
Finally, appropriate sampling media and analytical methods should be selected to ensure that the
sampling media will properly collect and release the COCs for analysis using an instrumental
technique qualitatively and quantitatively capable of achieving the required detection limits.
4.6 What are the Relationships Between Contamination in Various Media?
Results for SG samples collected from nearby residences are very useful along with groundwater
data for preliminary indications of a potential problem, but such SG sample results are not
always representative of SS or IA sample results.
The relationship between SS and IA sampling depends on the following:
• Type of building construction (slab on grade, slab over crawl space, basement, etc)
• Age of the structure
• Foundation conditions (cracked or sound)
• Preferential pathways (such as sand lenses)
• Spatial variations
• Seasonal and temporal variations
A 10-fold (0.10 reduction) attenuation factor (AF) often is applied as worse-case scenario to
estimate IA levels based on SS data. Heavy reliance on standard AFs from SS or SG to trigger
IA sampling is not recommended and may cause residential properties with an IA problem to be
overlooked. For example, ATSDR may recommend a SS screening level of 4 ppbv and an IA
screening level of 0.4 ppbv, based on a 10-fold AF.
4.7 Other Questions and Issues
This section discusses answers to other questions related to site screening and sampling.
Section 4
23
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
4.7.1 How Should Very Large Sites be Sampled?
U.S. EPA Region 5 generally recommends sampling all potentially impacted buildings.
However, for sites containing a large number of potentially impacted buildings, this approach
may not be practical, in part because U.S. EPA may not have been able to attain signed access
agreements for sampling at all structures. Unfortunately, there is a great deal of spatial
variability in the distribution of contamination in subsurface vapors caused by heterogeneities
both in subsurface materials and buildings. Therefore, simple extrapolation from nearby
buildings does not appear possible. Large spatial and temporal variations in IA levels are usually
two to five times but can be as high as 10-fold as shown in Figure 4 below, which shows
individual properties at the Redfield Facility in Denver, Colorado. Also, as Figure 4 shows,
tremendous spatial variation even exists between adjacent properties, so it is very difficult to
devise methods that do not involve testing of most properties.
/-0.04
^0.43
Q.04V
.04y^,
,12V\
EAST COLORADO AVENUE
NEGATIVE NUMBER INDICATES
RESULT BELOW DETECTION LIMIT
REFUSED ACCESS FOR
SAMPLING/NO
RESPONSE
APPROXIMATE EXTENTC
DETECTED VOLATILE
ORGANIC COMPOUND IN
GROUNDWATER
FORMER
REDFIELD
FACILITY
jj»T ASamy AVTMiir
(Mg/cubic meter)
>45
4.6 to 45
0.46 to 4.5
<=0.46
1,1 DCE RESULTS
Figure 4 - Temporal and Spatial Variability for 1,1-DCE in IA at the Redfield Facility
Section 4
24
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
In addition, generally identifying a particular building or group of buildings to provide a "worst-
case" scenario and determining that surrounding buildings are less likely to be contaminated is
not easy. When it is not practical or possible to sample every potentially impacted building, the
OSC or RPM should seek the advice of a hydrogeologist familiar with the site geology to help
guide the sampling progression. Site team members should work out a defensible investigative
approach on a site-specific basis, including a plan for documenting properties where access is not
provided.
4.7.2 What Information Should be Gathered Before Sampling I A in Industrial or
Commercial Buildings?
U.S. EPA Headquarters may issue new guidance on VI investigation for non-residential settings.
Until then, Region 5 recommends the approach summarized below.
• OSCs and RPMs should investigate VI for commercial and public use buildings where
the public may be present (such as schools).
• OSCs and RPMs should investigate VI for industrial-use buildings where chemicals
forming hazardous vapors generally are NOT a known or well-recognized part of routine
operations.
• OSCs and RPMs should be aware that petroleum hydrocarbon (PH) sites have explosive
issues (10 percent of the LEL), and biodegradation of PHs may create explosive
environments. For these reasons, almost every property needs to be tested when PH
could be a problem.
• OSCs and RPMs should place low priority on industrial or commercial non-residential
settings if the public generally is NOT expected to be present and if hazardous vapor-
forming chemicals that are the same or similar to chemicals in the subsurface are used as
part of routine operations.
In the last case, investigators should consider if detailed investigations of the VI pathway would
be beneficial. For example, it may not be possible to distinguish between the level of exposure
caused by chemical(s) forming hazardous vapors used in industrial or commercial operations and
the level of exposure caused by Vl-related chemical(s). One possibility for evaluating if a
chemical is the same or similar to chemicals in the subsurface is to determine if the chemicals
have similar physicochemical properties (such as Henry's Law constants, etc) and toxicological
properties (such as cancer and non-cancer effects and similar values for inhalation non-cancer
reference concentrations or cancer unit risks).
Industrial and commercial structures have different SS and IA screening levels than residential
structures. For most industrial and commercial buildings (except hospitals), the screening levels
should be based on an 8-hour-per-day building occupation time.
If a decision has been made to sample an industrial or commercial building, then the factors
summarized below should be considered.
• Each building ventilation system and its zone of influence should be identified. The
sampling of each zone may be required.
Section 4
25
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
• Any non-ventilated or passively ventilated rooms (such as mechanical rooms where
vapors may build up from degreasing agents or other cleaning compounds) should be
identified.
• The outdoor air exchange rate for each ventilation system should be evaluated.
Subsurface screening levels assume adequate but modest air exchange rates.
• Hours of building occupancy (current and future as appropriate) should be considered.
This information should dictate the sampling period needed to represent exposure. For
example, at the Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site in Ohio, ATSDR recommended a
residential IA TCE screening level of 0.4 ppbv (2.15 (J,g/m3) and a commercial IA TCE
screening level of 1.7 ppbv (9.14 (J,g/m3) based on the hours of building occupancy.
• Ventilation system operation should be evaluated. Diurnal fluctuations caused by
ventilation system operation may affect VI results.
• Potential pathways for subsurface migration into the building should be determined.
Sealing these pathways can be a cost-effective mitigation measure.
• Areas with significant negative pressure should be identified. Negative pressure inside
buildings facilitates VI.
• Chemicals and industrial products used in buildings should be identified and screened to
determine the presence of potential IA sources of COCs.
• The type(s) of work activities occurring in the building should be determined and could
be important in evaluating exposure, interpreting results, and identifying other potential
indoor sources of COCs.
4.7.3 How Do I Assess a Site for VI When No Buildings are Present?
Multiple lines of evidence should be used to assess the potential for future VI if buildings or
structures may be constructed at a site that currently does not contain buildings or structures.
Lines of evidence that should be considered when no buildings currently overlie subsurface
contamination include site history, planned future site use, groundwater data, groundwater depth,
SG data, soil concentrations, flux chamber data, soil characteristics, subsurface geology, and
modeling results. After obtaining several lines of evidence, the RPM can determine the need for
ICs or other mechanisms as administrative tools to limit the potential for VI in future buildings.
4.7.4 When Should SG Sample Results be Used to Evaluate a Site for Potential
VI?
Sampling of exterior SG immediately outside a structure may be a viable option when supported
by knowledge of site geology and subsurface lithology, building conditions, source depths and
extents, wind direction, precipitation information, and other site-specific factors. Each RPM and
OSC should work with his or her site evaluation team to determine if exterior SG sampling
would be useful at their particular site. In addition to evaluating the potential VI pathway, SG
sample results also can be used to identify and delineate the source of contamination and to
monitor changes in SG concentrations over time. However, generally SG sampling alone is
insufficient for a VI investigation.
Section 4
26
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
4.7.5 What Are the Issues with Sampling SG in the Rain?
For most sites, measurements made during or immediately after a significant rain event (greater
than 1 inch of precipitation) may not be representative of long-term average conditions. For sites
where rainfall is very frequent, testing soon after a rainfall event may yield information about
representative conditions (ITRC 2007). The effects of weather events on sampling and sampling
results are discussed in Section D.l 1.8 of Appendix D of ITRC's 2007 guidance. In any case, it
is useful to collect relevant meteorological data during the sampling event to assist with later
data interpretation.
4.7.6 Should Modeling be Used to Assess the VI Pathway?
Modeling can be used to assess the VI pathway. As with all models, high-quality data inputs
(such as soil moisture content, representative groundwater and SG concentrations, depth to
groundwater, and soil type) and appropriate sensitivity testing are necessary to obtain reliable
results. Some models tend to oversimplify site conditions. Therefore, Region 5 generally bases
removal and remedial decisions on SS and IA data.
In spite of considerable research, to date, there is no reliable way to predict IA levels from VI
using models. Although models (such as the Johnson and Ettinger model) may be useful for
screening out sites with an additional margin of safety, modeling generally should never
substitute for confirmatory SS and IA sampling at a sufficient number of properties to rule out a
potential IA problem. Modeling can be used to identify potential problem sites and provide
priority rankings for investigation, but only if sufficient and accurate geological, contamination
(source concentration), construction and meteorological information are available.
4.7.7 What Are the Units of Measurement for Air and SG Samples, and What are
the Conversion Factors?
Air and SG unit conversion is more complicated than soil or water unit conversion. Common
units for SG are (J,g/m3, micrograms per liter ((J,g/L), ppbv, and part per million by volume
(ppmv). The easiest way to convert units is to use an on-line calculator. An example on-line
calculator is available at website address http://www.airtoxics.com/cclasses/unitcalc.html
Section 4
27
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Section 5. Community Outreach
VI investigators must be trained to deal with community concerns. Informing residents or
business owners that chemicals may have entered their buildings is a delicate situation. Usually,
people are just learning that the groundwater or soil near their properties has been contaminated
by releases from a nearby site. Communities may be skeptical or unsure of what will happen
next. They will wonder how vapors will affect their health and the health of their coworkers and
families. It is important to learn from the experience of other investigators facing similar
challenges.
Communication is an essential component of any community outreach program. For example, it
generally is not good for building occupants to learn about a VI investigation for the first time
when someone knocks on their door asking permission to drill holes in their floor or ask about
their personal activities (such as smoking and dry-cleaning of clothes).
To be successful, agencies conducting or overseeing VI investigations need to develop a strong
community outreach program to educate and reassure the local community about VI in a
meaningful, sensitive, and effective manner. Unlike any other contaminant pathway, VI merits
effective education of the affected community regarding the risk of SG migration from the
subsurface as well as background sources typically found in buildings.
Community Advisory Groups (CAG) can assist in community outreach efforts. CAGs are
generally small groups of residents who meet regularly with agencies and responsible parties.
They provide an opportunity for the public to gradually gain an understanding of the
complexities of VI investigation. In such a setting, initially adversarial relationships usually
break down, and community members often come up with constructive advice (ITRC 2007).
This section answers FAQs concerning community outreach issues.
5.1 When and How Should U.S. EPA Inform a Community about VI Concerns
and Sampling Plans?
Community outreach activities should be initiated as soon as possible after the determination that
VI concerns exist at a particular site. Informing the community about VI concerns and plans to
conduct sampling can be resource-intensive. The RPM or OSC should work with a Community
Involvement Coordinator to develop a community outreach strategy that ensures the most
appropriate means of communication throughout the process. Development of fact sheets, on-
line questions and answers, and public availability sessions are recommended to educate the
general public and facilitate communication. When choosing the most effective communication
strategy, staff should also consider U.S. EPA's previous involvement at the site, the existence of
community or neighborhood groups, and which phase of the regulatory process VI is being
addressed under.
Because assessment of the VI pathway may involve sampling in homes and workplaces,
individual, one-on-one communication with each homeowner or building owner is recommended
whenever possible. The one-on-one approach establishes trust and provides an opportunity for
the individual to ask questions that may otherwise not happen in a public setting. This
communication can occur after meetings with a larger audience to introduce the overall issue of
VI. After a community meeting, a letter should be sent to each home and building owner and
tenants explaining U.S. EPA's plans to conduct sampling and U.S. EPA's intent to contact the
owners and tenants in the near future. U.S. EPA can then begin to contact individual home and
Section 5
28
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
building owners and tenants and schedule in-person visits. Building-by-building contact and
communication is probably the most effective means of educating the community about VI
issues and obtaining access needed to complete sampling activities. Personal contact is
recommended to establish a good working relationship with home and building owners and
tenants and to build the trust needed for continued access necessary for sampling activities.
The initial visit can be used to further explain U.S. EPA's plans and answer questions, obtain
signed access agreements, identifying sample locations, review instructions for the home or
building owner or tenant (such as keeping doors and windows closed during sampling, avoiding
bringing dry-cleaned clothing indoors during sampling, etc.), and perform a general building
survey to determine likely sources of consumer and industrial products. A date and time for
sampling also should be scheduled during the initial visit.
Upon identification of a location to be sampled, an access agreement is required. Section 5.2
discusses access agreements in more detail.
5.2 How Do I Obtain a Signed Access Agreement?
The access agreement must be signed by the property owner (and tenants, if necessary) to give
U.S. EPA and its contractors permission to access the property for sampling. Attachment A
contains an example U.S. EPA access agreement. Once the access agreement is signed, the
agreement should be placed in a folder along with all future sampling information and results to
organize all information for each property. A separate folder should be used and managed for
each property sampled.
A signed access agreement can be obtained in a number of ways, such as by mailing out U.S.
EPA sample request letters, holding public meetings and availability sessions, referring the
public to the U.S. EPA website, and conducting door-to-door visits. Each method is described
below. These methods have been used at Region 5 sites and have resulted in positive community
responses.
5.2.1 U.S. EPA Sample Request Letters
Attachment B contains an example of a sampling request packet and letter sent to residents to
request access for VI sampling. The letter and packet describe why U.S. EPA is conducting the
investigation and contained fact sheets relating to VI and the COCs, an access agreement, and
contact information. The sample request letter also contained a postage-paid envelope for the
property owner/resident to return the signed access agreement. U.S. EPA used this approach for
the Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site in Dayton, Ohio to obtain over 400 signed access
agreements for VI sampling. Attachment C contains a second example of a sample request letter
sent to residents in the neighborhood of at a project in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Once the access agreement is received, the OSC or RPM can call the resident by telephone to
schedule a sampling appointment. For past projects, U.S. EPA has used Community
Involvement Coordinators (CIC) to send out the sample request letters. If needed, a second or
third mailer can be sent out that could generate additional positive responses.
It is important to track to whom letters have been sent to and how many times letters have been
sent in case the property owner questions whether he or she has ever been contacted to request
sampling and to document U.S. EPA's attempts in case access never is granted.
Section 5
29
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
5.2.2 Public Meetings and A vailability Sessions
The U.S. EPA OSC or RPM can conduct a public meeting or availability session to gain access
to properties for sampling. The public meeting forum allows the OSC or RPM to explain the site
history and U.S. EPA's plans. The meeting or availability session allows U.S. EPA to explain
VI, the sampling strategy, and how results will be presented to the public, and allows residents to
"sign-up" for sampling. Additionally, it is very useful to invite local or state health departments
and ATSDR representatives to these events so that they can answer health-related questions.
U.S. EPA OSC and Community Involvement Coordinator conducting public meeting for
Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site
For the Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site, U.S. EPA conducted a public meeting and explained
the sampling strategy. U.S. EPA tasked its START contractor to have access agreements
available at the back of the room for signing after the meeting and to schedule sampling times.
This method generated access to more than 50 sampling locations during one public meeting.
5.2.3 U.S. EPA Website
OSCs can utilize http://www.epaosc.org/ to develop a site-specific website that allows the
community to see photographs, read about the project status, and sign up for sampling. The next
page shows the website used for the Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site. In some circumstances, it
may also be possible for RPMs to use this resource.
Section 5
30
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Site Profile
Page 1 of 3
United States Environmental Protection Agency oEPA
profle buletins Images documents POLREPs contacts links login ptvfik
Behr VOC Plume - EPA Fund Lead Removal
Dayton, OH - EPA Region V
Site Contact:
Steven Renninger
On-Scene Coordinator
renninger steven@epa gov
epaosc.net/behivocplumeepafuncll eadremoval
919 North Keowee Street
Dayton, OH 45404
Latitude: 39.773025
Longitude: -84.181406
ate map [ area map | weather | bookmark
The EPA Command Post Phone Number is 937-262-7919 and is located at 919 North Keowee Street,
Dayton, Ohio.
The Behr VOC Plume (EPA Fund Lead Removal) and the Behr VOC Plume Site (funded by Chrysler) are
simultaneous removal actions at the same site. This website is for the Behr VOC Plume (EPA Fund Lead
Removal). For further information on the Behr VOC Plume Site (Chrysler funded) see the following link:
"http://Www.epaosc.net/behrvocplume"
The Behr Dayton Thermal Products Facility (Behr-Dayton facility) is located at 1600 Webster Street, Dayton,
Montgomery County, Ohio. The Behr-Dayton facility manufactures vehicle air conditioning and engine cooling
systems at the facility. Chrysler Corporation owned and operated the Behr-Dayton facility from at least 1937 until
April of 2002
The groundwater beneath the Behr-Dayton facility is contaminated with volatile organic compounds, including
trichloroethene (TCE). Chrysler contracted Earth Tech to design, install, and operate two systems for the
remediation of soil and groundwater contamination under the Behr-Dayton facility, with TCE as the main
contaminant of concern. Earth Tech installed a Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE ) system on the Behr-Dayton facility
http://epaosc.nct/sitc profilc.asp?sitc id~3677 5/20/2008
U.S. EPA Website for Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site
Section 5
31
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
5.2.4 Door-to-Door Visits
Another method to use is to go door-to-door to obtain signed access
agreements. Depending on the time of day when one would go
door-to-door, the results could vary. At the Behr VOC Plume site,
U.S. EPA CIC, the START contractor and the local health
department walked door-to-door throughout the area of concern to
obtain signed access agreements. This method generated numerous
signed access agreements.
5.3 After the Access Agreement Form is Signed,
What's Next?
Once the access agreement is signed, a sample date and time should
be scheduled. Attachment D provides an example of the Residential Sample Reminder Form.
This form should be filled out and either given to or mailed to the location to be sampled to
remind residents when the sampling team will visit. Homeowners like this form because they
can place it on their refrigerators as a reminder. The form also provides information such as how
many samples will be collected, where the samples will be collected from, instructions to ensure
the integrity of the air samples, and contact information in case the sampling time needs to be
rescheduled.
5.4 How Do I Deal with Reluctant Home and Building Owners?
Access to owner-occupied residences may be handled differently than for commercial buildings
or rental properties. Allowing U.S. EPA to sample and install mitigation systems in an owner-
occupied residence is a voluntary action. Homeowners who occupy their properties should be
encouraged to take advantage of the offered assessment activities or mitigation system.
However, U.S. EPA should not continue to pressure reluctant homeowners once sufficient
information has been communicated regarding health risks and the benefits of mitigation. U.S.
EPA can also request the assistance from the local health department to meet with owners and
occupants to explain the need for sampling or the installation of a mitigation system.
For commercial buildings and residential rental properties, property owners may be making
sample access deci sions for families living in rental properties. For example, if the property
owner of a residential rental property refuses access, U.S. EPA may request the assistance of the
local health department to write a letter to the property owner to describe why the sampling is
necessary and to inform the owner of his or her obligation to ensure that the rental property is
safe for occupancy.
Owners who currently occupy their residences should be advised that if they decline an offer for
installation of a vapor mitigation system and change their minds in the future, they may be
responsible for the costs of installing and maintaining their own systems.
The number of attempts to obtain access to perform a VI assessment or install a mitigation
system should be consistent with regional practice. In general, more than one attempt to obtain
access is recommended. All attempts should be documented using telephone conversation
records or letters sent to home and building owners. All requests for access as well as the
provision of access should be in writing to document U.S. EPA's due diligence.
Section 5
32
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
At properties in Region 5 for which initial access could not be obtained, additional access request
letters were mailed. At least two to three attempts are sometimes needed to gain access. If
access is still not granted after multiple attempts, the property location should be documented
and the local health department should be informed that access could not be obtained for VI
sampling.
5.5 How Should I Track Ownership Changes for Owner-Occupied Residences
that Did Not Provide Access?
For homes and buildings where access was not provided for assessment sampling or installation
of a mitigation system, OSCs and RPMs should make reasonable attempts to track ownership
changes as long as U.S. EPA is involved at the site. These attempts could include contact on an
annual basis, drive-by visits, communication with community representatives, and other
approaches. Reasonable attempts could also include an annual site inspection during which
nearby homes and buildings for sale are noted. If ownership changes are found, then appropriate
follow-up should be conducted with the new home or building owner.
5.6 What Specific Information or Instructions Should be Provided to Residents
Before IA Samples are Collected?
Standardized fact sheets should be used to inform home and building owners about potential
household sources of IA contamination, steps the home or building owner can take to minimize
such sources, and steps the U.S. EPA will take to minimize risks. Some common household
sources of background IA contamination include nail polish remover, paints and paint thinner,
dry-cleaned items, scented candles, and cleaning fluids. Attachment E provides examples of fact
sheets provided by the ODH. Fact sheet information should be reviewed with the home or
building owner before sampling begins.
The occupants of the property to be sampled should be informed of the guidelines below.
• Do not to smoke in close proximity to the SUMMA canisters.
• Leave doors and windows closed during sampling.
• Try not to enter the room where sampling is being conducted.
• If possible, do not bring home dry-cleaned items during the sample period.
• Do not touch the SUMMA canisters during sampling.
5.7 How Can I Educate Communities about Consumer and Household Sources
of IA Contamination to Minimize Interference with VI Studies?
As discussed in Section 5.6, standardized fact sheets should be used to inform home and building
owners about potential household sources of IA contamination, steps the home or building owner
can take to minimize such sources, and steps the U.S. EPA will take to minimize risks. This
information should be reviewed with the home or building owner, and a plan should be
developed to remove consumer and household sources of IA contamination before sampling
begins. In addition, the home or building owner should be informed that once a VI system is
installed, the system will protect the home or building only against chemicals coming from the
ground but will not protect the home against continuing indoor sources because VI mitigation
systems are not IA filtration systems. Home or building owners also should be informed that it is
in their best interest to minimize consumer and household sources of IA contamination not just
during sampling events but over the long term as well.
Section 5
33
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Section 6. Sampling Methodology and Procedures
Before sampling is conducted at a property, the property owner or tenant (if the property is a
rental property) must sign an access agreement as discussed in Section 5 above. This section
discusses the VI sampling methodology and procedures, including laboratory requirements, SS
sampling, IA sampling, co-located IA and duplicate SS air sampling, ambient air sampling,
building basement types, use of a mobile laboratory or field-portable gas chromatograph/mass
spectrometer (GC/MS), and data management.
6.1 Laboratory Requirements
Once the COCs have been determined, prior to sampling, U.S. EPA OSCs and RPMs can consult
with the state health department and/or ATSDR for recommendations on SS and IA screening
levels. There will be separate screening criteria for residential and commercial/industrial
locations. Once the screening levels are established, the laboratory should be consulted to verify
that its reporting limits are lower than the established screening levels. For example, if the IA
screening level for TCE is 0.4 ppbv (2.15 |ig/m3), the laboratory's reporting limit for TCE should
be less than this value. For SUMMA canister samples analyzed for VOCs or PHs, U.S. EPA
Method TO-15 should be used for sample analysis.
The SUMMA canisters and regulators used to collect IA samples should be individually
"certified" cleaned by the laboratory to ensure that low detection limits can be achieved. The
SUMMA canisters used for SS samples are cleaned but are typically only "batch" certified,
which means that one out of every 10 or 20 SUMMA canisters is "certified" cleaned. For these
reasons, IA sampling is generally more expensive than SS sampling. In addition, it is therefore
important to make sure that the laboratory properly labels which SUMMA canisters are
"certified" cleaned for IA sampling and which canisters have been cleaned but not "certified" for
SS sampling. Some laboratories may just "certify" clean both IA and SS SUMMA canisters to
avoid confusion in the field.
6.2 SS Sampling
SS samples are collected to confirm the presence of a site-related COC beneath the foundation of
a property. Before SS sample collection, SS sampling ports should be installed and sampled in
accordance with the U.S. EPA Response Engineering and Analytical Contract (REAC) SOP
#2082 (Attachment F). A vacuum (such as a shop-vac) equipped with a high-efficiency
particulate air (HEPA) filter should be used during installation activities to minimize the impact
of concrete dust on the property and the sampler during drilling activities.
The following sections describe the SS sampling equipment and supplies, temporal
considerations, spatial considerations, SS sample collection, and the use of a tracer gas to test for
leakage during SS sampling.
6.2.1 SS Sampling Equipment and Supplies
The table on the next page provides an example list of materials and tools usually necessary to
install sub-slab sampling ports and generally conduct SS sampling. The list is only an example,
and many alternate models or equipment can be purchased from alternative vendors.
Section 6
34
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Equipment
Example Vendor
Hilti Hammer Drill, SDS-Plus or equivalent .. _
Hardware store
3/8-inch masonry bit - greater than 16 inches *
long X
\
Hardware store
1-inch masonry bit about 6 inches long ^
Hardware store
18- to 20-inch tool bag with shoulder strap
Hardware store
Two 9/16-inch wrenches
Hardware store
One /4-inch wrench
Hardware store
One 3/4-inch wrench
Hardware store
Needle-nose pliers
Hardware store
DeWalt Portable Shop Vac (Model DC500) or equivalent
Hardware store
HEPA filter for Shop Vac (Model DC500) or equivalent
Hardware store
Pipe cutter (stainless steel tubing cutter)
Hardware store
Pipe thread tape
Hardware store
One 3/8-inch drive ratchet
Hardware store
One H-inch Allen socket for a 3/8-inch drive ratchet
Hardware store
Quickcrete or equivalent
Hardware store
Plastic tablespoons
Hardware store
50-foot-long extension chord
Hardware store
Combo ReelCord (or equivalent extension chord with built-in
power strip and GFCI)
Hardware store
Three-prong to two-prong adapter
Hardware store
Scissors
Hardware store
Light bulb socket adapter
Hardware store
Work light and a flashlight
Hardware store
Extra light bulbs (for basements that have burned out bulbs)
Hardware store
Dry erase board - letter size
Walmart or equivalent
Dry erase markers
Walmart or equivalent
Small zippered bag to hold small tools
Walmart or equivalent
Water bottle and Ziploc bags
Walmart or equivalent
Paper towels
Walmart or equivalent
Section 6
35
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Equipment
Example Vendor
Digital manometer (range: 0 to 1 inch water
column)
Model 475-000-FM (Series 475 Mark III)
Dwyer Instruments, Inc.
(or equivalent)
www.dwver-inst.com
y4-inch-outside diameter (OD) Teflon tubing
Note: Some Teflon tubing may contain elevated
levels of perfluorinated hydrocarbons.)
Total Safety or
equivalent
Modeling clay (white, gray or colorless)
Craft store
Vi-inch-OD stainless-steel tubing (SS-T4-S-035-
20) - Chromatographic grade
Swagelok or equivalent
http:// swagel ok. com/
V't-inch compression to '/4-inch female connector
(National Pipe Thread [NPT]) (SS-400-7-4)
Swagelok or equivalent
(
V't-inch compression to '/4-inch male connector
(NPT) (SS-400-1 -4)
Swagelok or equivalent
i
'4-inch ferrule sets
(SS-400-Set)
Swagelok or equivalent
'/4-inch Teflon-coated plug (4534K12)
Note: Use Teflon tape to wrap threads of plug
before installation.
McMaster-Carr or
equivalent
www.mcmaster.com
Section 6
36
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
6.2.2 Temporal Considerations
Temporal factors can greatly affect SS sample results. Temporal factors affecting SS sampling
include seasonal changes in building depressurization due to the use of fireplaces, heaters, open
windows, air conditioners, or wind; the movement of subsurface SG from barometric pumping
caused by both diurnal and longer-term atmospheric pressure changes; and temperature effects
on contaminant partitioning. There have been sites where the timing of the sampl ing is
correlated with the depth of the water table. Ideally, these factors should be considered when
developing a sampling and analysis plan and evaluating data.
j
#
• *
as I
05/08/2008
6.2.3 Spatial Considerations
Past sampling results show
considerable variation in
contaminant levels measured in SS
air even when the source is relatively
homogenous. Therefore, at least one
SS sample should be collected from
each property, if possible. If a single
sampling location is used, it should
be located in the lowest point of the
property (such as the basement) and
approximately in the middle of the
room where concentrations are
expected to be highest while
potentially having the greatest radius
of influence for SS air across the footprint of the basement.
If more than one SS sample is collected, the sampling locations should be spaced to adequately
cover the floor space of the basement or lowermost floor. Properties where the collection of
more than one SS sample is particularly desirable include schools and multi-family homes,
basements where a concrete footer divides the basement into two sections, and when the area of
the basement or slab exceeds 1,500 square feet (ft"').
Based on SS data collected to date, there appears to be significant spatial variability in SS
concentrations even over an average-sized basement. Recommendations about how many SS
samples to collect vary, ranging from one SS sample for every 330 ft2 (or two to three samples
for every average-sized home) to one SS sample for an average residential dwelling of 1,500 ft2.
Although it may be desirable to collect several SS from a building in order to gain statistical
information, this approach may not be practical because of (1) construction considerations (such
as the presence of utili ties, floor condition, floor materials, finished basements, post-stressed
concrete, etc.), (2) reluctance of the owner to grant permission to install multiple sampling ports,
and (3) cost considerations. However, whenever possible, multiple ports should be installed at a
percentage (minimum recommended 10 percent) of the sampled buildings in order to allow a
check for variability in an area.
Figure 5 on the next page shows an example of spatial variability in SS sample results for one
residence.
Section 6
37
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
1,1,1-TCA
1,1-DCE
TCE
c-l,2-DCE
542
480
189
46
1,1,1-TCA
1,1-DCE
TCE
c-l,2-DCE
52
31
31
9.5
1,1,1-TCA 1,1-DCE
TCE
c-l,2-DCE
76 64
17
1.4
WORKBENCH
INACCESSIBLE
CRAWL SPACE
BULK
HEAD
7'-10" CEILING HEIGHT
Probe A
Probe C
Figure 5 - Example of Spatial Variability in SS Sampling
Certain situations should trigger discussions about the need for additional (or possibly fewer) SS
sampling locations than those recommended above. Such situations include very large or small
homes or buildings, buildings with more than one foundation floor type, subsurface structures or
conditions that could facilitate or mitigate VI, multi-use buildings with sensitive populations in
segmented areas (such as day care facilities), and areas of buildings directly above the subsurface
with constant occupancy (as opposed to occasional occupancy). For larger structures, a
statistician can help determine the numbers and placement of sampling ports to ensure that the
DQOs are met.
6.2.4 Special Considerations
Considerations for SS sampling are listed in Section D.6 of Appendix D of the ITRC 2007
Guidance and are summarized below.
• SS sampling should be avoided in areas where groundwater could intersect the slab.
• Underground utilities and structures (such as electric, gas, water, tension rods, and sewer
lines) should be located and avoided.
Section 6
38
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
• If a vapor barrier already exists under the slab, SS sampling could puncture the barrier, so
the hole must be carefully resealed after monitoring is complete.
• For basements, primary entry points for vapors could be through sidewalls rather than
from below the floor slab, so SS sampling may require augmentation by collecting
samples through basement walls.
6.2.5 SS Sample Collection
SS samples are typically collected
using 6-L SUMMA canisters fitted
with a flow orifice pre-calibrated to
collect a 6-L air sample over a 24-hour
period. For commercial properties, the
sampling period may or may not be
reduced to 8 hours. The 6-L SUMMA
canister is connected to a stainless-
steel vapor probe using Teflon tubing.
Once the 24-hour sampling period is
complete, a vacuum check of the
SUMMA canister should be conducted
and documented, the SUMMA
canister brass Swagelok' cap should be installed, and the SUMMA canister should be boxed and
shipped to the laboratory for analysis within the sample holding time.
At the start of the sampling event, a pressure gauge vacuum reading should be performed and the
value recorded. An initial vacuum reading typically exceeds -28 inches mercury (Hg) (a
pressure measurement). Typically, the canister is deployed at approximately -30 inches Fig and
should be turned off at a lower negative pressure (between -1 to -10 inches of Hg). The slight
negative pressure ensures that the canister fills over the entire planned sampling period. If the
canister flow controller shows 0 inch Hg (atmospheric pressure), samplers have no way of
knowing if the canister filled over the planned sampling duration or over a shorter timeframe. At
the end of the sampling period, a pressure gauge vacuum reading should be performed again and
the value recorded. The U.S. EPA ERT recommends that an ending vacuum reading between -1
and -10 inches Hg indicates that a valid sample was collected. If the final vacuum reading
exceeds -10 inches Hg or is less than -1 inch Hg, another sample should be collected.
SS air samples should be labeled with a unique sample designation number (for example,
123Main-SS-101510). One may also consider using a unique coded identification number for
residential samples to maintain "confidentially" in the event the sampling data will be shared
with the public, lawyers, or uploaded onto websites. Both the sample number and the sample
identification information should be recorded on the Air Sampling Field Form in Attachment G).
Note: For high-altitude sampling, the pressure reading may differ significantly from
measurements performed in the laboratory. Additionally, the flow rates on the flow controller
need to be adjusted for the situation. The flow controllers measure a volumetric amount that is
flowing, not a mass amount. At high altitudes, there is less mass (fewer molecules) in the same
volume.
Section 6
39
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
6.2.6 Use of Tracer Gas to Test for Leakage during SS Sampling
Tracer gas is used to assess the integrity of sampling equipment. A tracer compound can provide
quantitative proof of the integrity of a probe seal by demonstrating that breakthrough of air from
the surface is not occurring. Immediately before sampling, the tracer compound should be
placed around the SS probe tubing at ground surface. The tracer compound selected should not
be present in SG and should be detectable with sufficient sensitivity. If the probe has been
installed and sealed correctly, little or no tracer compound will be detected in the SG sample. If
the tracer compound selected is observed at a concentration approaching or greater than 1 part
per million, it is reasonable to assume that the SG probe has a leak and another SG probe should
be installed and sampled.
If temporary probes are used for sampling, the use of tracer gas is highly recommended.
Experienced personnel should be consulted before sampling procedures are determined,
including evaluation of the need for tracer gas. U.S. EPA has developed analytical SOPs (U.S.
EPA TO-14, TO-15, and TG-17) for specific requirements for tracer gas and specific tracer gas
detection limits that support the selection of the tracer gas for specific sites.
If permanent probes are used for sampling, a leak test still is recommended to verify an adequate
seal, at least during the first round of sampling. At some commercial or industrial sites, a leak
test may be necessary before each sampling event because the top of the permanent SG sampling
point may have been damaged or impacted by daily operations and repair of seal may be needed.
Section D.4.7 of the ITRC 2007 guidance provides additional information on leak testing using
tracer gas, including the advantages and disadvantages of various liquid and gas tracer
compounds.
Spraying of isopropyl alcohol as a leak check
6.3 IA Sampling
IA samples are collected to confirm the presence of a site-related contaminant in the indoor
environment and to allow risk calculation. The following sections discuss the collection of SS
samples before IA samples, the VI Resident Questionnaire, IA sampling prescreening, and IA
sample collection.
Section 6
40
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
6.3.1 Collection of SS Samples before IA Samples
Until recently, most VI investigation approaches have recommended that SS samples be
collected first to determine if IA sampling is required. However, simultaneous SS and IA
sampling can be conducted if proper IA screening techniques are followed. Simultaneous
collection of SS and IA samples is advantageous because (1) SS and IA sample results can
provide a paired set of data, increasing the understanding of the relationship between SS and IA
concentrations, (2) environmental sampling contractor re-mobilization costs are reduced or
eliminated, and (3) disturbance of property owners and residents is reduced.
6.3.2 VI Resident Questionnaire
Before IA samples are collected, the VI Resident Questionnaire in Attachment H should be filled
out. The VI Resident Questionnaire form can be used to record information about sources of
chemicals within the residence that could be detected in IA samples. The form also can be used
to record site-specific information about household features that can help in the interpretation of
analytical data.
For petroleum sites, it is important to consider consumer chemical product impacts and
contributions to IA quality. Many household products contain petroleum compounds.
Therefore, the questionnaire needs to account for the variety of household products and building
construction materials typically used in each household. If sampling is to be conducted at a
residence after a gasoline spill, cars must be removed from attached garages for at least 24 hours
before sampling is conducted.
6.3.3 IA Sampling Prescreenlng
IA sampling prescreening includes a physical survey of the structure to be sampled conducted in
conjunction with an interview of the occupants of the structure. The purpose of the physical
survey is to obtain data to allow qualitative assessment of factors that could influence IA quality.
The physical survey includes collecting information on the building configuration, such as
layout, attached garages, utility entrances into the building, ventilation system design, foundation
conditions, the presence of a foundation sump, building material types (including recent
carpeting or linoleum installation and painting), the presence of fireplaces, the location of
laundry facilities, and other information.
The physical survey also includes collecting data related to IA quality, such as use of cleaning
products, the presence of dry-cleaned items, use of carpet-cleaning services, indoor storage of
paints or PH products, use of aerosol products, presence of smokers, occupant hobbies, and other
information. The VI Resident Questionnaire form in Attachment H includes questions related to
IA quality.
It is also recommended that potential IA sources be removed from the structure at least 24 hours
before sampling begins based on an air exchange rate of 0.2 per hour. Potential IA sources
include household and consumer product chemicals such as paints, gasoline, dry-cleaned items,
and nail polish remover. A secure location for storing the removed products should be identified
such as an outside shed. Alternately, the items could be triple-bagged and placed in the garage
or outside. If sampling for SS vapors only, it is not necessary to remove potential IA sources.
However, if IA by itself is being sampled or IA air together with crawl space or SS is being
sampled (an option in U.S. EPA Region 5), potential IA sources should be removed.
Section 6
41
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
An inventory of household or other products in the building that could be sources of volatile
chemicals is particularly important if potential sources cannot be removed. Such an inventory
often is useful even if the sources can been removed. The inventory should document all sources
of volatile chemicals present (or formerly present) in the structure. Section 1.6.1 of ITRC 2007
guidance provides greater detail about this issue.
A residence or building also can be surveyed for VOC contributions to IA from indoor sources.
The U.S. EPA ERT's TAGA mobile laboratory or a photoionization detector (PID) that can
detect ppb levels can be used. However, the PID may not be sensitive
enough for very low-concentration sources. More information about
the TAGA laboratory is available by contacting David Mickunas,
TAGA Coordinator, at mickunas.dave@epa.gov or (919) 541-4191.
The ppbRAE or equivalent, low-level VOC PID can be used to
determine if chemicals are present in the sampling area. The ppbRAE
instrument is used because if its capability to analyze VOCs in the
ppb-range. The ppbRAE or equivalent must be calibrated and the
calibration results documented before it is used. Care should be taken
not to fog the lens of the ppbRAE from changes in temperature or
humidity.
Note: U.S. EPA's use of the term ppbRAE does not imply endorsement
manufacturer.
Because of fire and explosion considerations, direct-read instrumentation should also be used in
addition to or along with SUMMA canister priority testing for VI investigation for petroleum and
petroleum by-products. These instruments can include multi-gas/explosive meters and the TVA-
1000 for PID and flame ionization detector (FID) readings along with Tedlar bag sample
collection. Direct-read instrumentation also can selectively be used to determine methane
concentrations along with total hydrocarbon concentrations.
6.3.4 IA Sample Collection
IA samples typically are collected using 6-L SUMMA canisters equipped with critical-orifice
flow regulation device sized to allow the collection of an air sample over a 24-hour sampling
period. At least one IA sample should
be collected from each property. Larger
residential or commercial properties
often require that more IA samples be
collected as discussed below. IA
samples should be collected from the
lowest point on the property that has the
potential for frequent use (such as the
basement). If the property has a
basement and only one IA sample is
collected, the sampling location should
be approximately in the middle of the
room and close to the breathing level of
of the ppbRAE
Section 6
42
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
a seated person (2 to 3 feet above the floor). If more than one IA sample is collected, the
locations should be spread out to adequately cover the floor space of the basement. If the
property does not have a basement that can frequently be used, the sampling device should be
placed in a bedroom, preferably the master bedroom or the bedroom of the youngest child.
Care should be taken to deploy SUMMA canisters away from the direct influence of any forced
air from air conditioning units, central air conditioning vents, furnaces, or heaters. Also, during
the sampling period, exterior doors and windows generally should be kept closed. Heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems should be operated normally to be
representative of actual living conditions. HVAC operation should be noted and considered
when determining if additional tests are required (such as during different seasons). IA
concentrations due to VI will vary over time and are likely (but not necessarily) higher during the
winter season. SUMMA canisters should be deployed in areas not subject to disturbances and
not at locations that interfere with the occupant's normal activities.
Air samples should be labeled with a unique sample designation number (for example, 123Main-
IA-101510). One may also consider using a unique coded identification number for residential
samples to maintain "confidentially" in the event the sampling data will be shared with the
public, lawyers, or uploaded onto websites. Both the sample number and the sample
identification information should be recorded on the Air Sampling Field Form in Attachment G.
The SUMMA canister vacuum should be recorded immediately before canister deployment and
recorded on the Air Sampling Field Form. The initial vacuum should be greater than -28 inches
of Hg. The critical-orifice flow controller as supplied by the laboratory should then be installed
on the canister, and the SUMMA canister should be opened at the beginning of the sample
collection period. The sampling start time and initial vacuum should be recorded on the Air
Sampling Field Form.
Other information that should be recorded on the Air Sampling Field Form includes temperatures
at the start and end of the sampling period, basement depth, equipment serial numbers, sample
type (such as baseline, post-mitigation, etc.), the sampler's name, and any comments.
Photographs of the sampling event should also be taken, including the inside and outside of the
property where the sampling occurred.
The SUMMA canister valve should be closed at the end of the sample period (usually after 24
hours), and the end time should be recorded on the Air Sampling Field Form. If there is
evidence of canister disturbance during sample collection, this fact also should be recorded on
the Air Sampling Field Form.
The SUMMA canister vacuum should be measured immediately after canister retrieval at the end
of the sampling period and recorded on the Air Sampling Field Form. An ending vacuum
reading between -1 and -10 inches Hg indicates that a valid sample was collected. If the final
vacuum reading is greater than -10 inches of Hg or less than -1 inch of Hg, another indoor air
(p)
sample should be collected. Once the vacuum is measured, the brass Swagelok cap should be
securely tightened on the inlet of the SUMMA canister.
6.4 Co-Located IA and Co-Located SS Air Sampling
One way to check the integrity of the laboratory IA data is to collect a co-located IA sample
adjacent to another IA sample. The sample ports should be placed side by side during the
sampling period. U.S. EPA may collect co-located samples during PRP oversight activities to
Section 6
43
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
check the integrity of the PRP consultant's laboratory results.
One way to check the integrity of a SS sample is to attach a splitter to the sample tubing to allow
two SUMMA canisters to collect an air sample at the same time. This procedure can be used to
collect a co-located air sample or when an U.S. EPA OSC or RPM would like to co-locate an air
sample along with the PRP consultant's SS air sample.
Co-located (Side-by-Side) IA sample collection (left) and co-located SS air sample collection
(right)
6.5 Ambient Air Sampling
It is good general practice to collect at least one
ambient air sample on a day that IA samples are
collected in order to provide a baseline against
which the IA sample results can be compared.
Outdoor ambient air samples should be collected
from a representative location, preferably upwind
and away from any wind obstructions such as trees
and buildings. The ambient air sample allows the
U.S. EPA OSC or RPM to determine if outside
VOC concentrations may contribute to the IA
sample results.
Nearby buildings with air emissions from
commercial or industrial facilities should be considered as potential interferences. Relevant
meteorological data (such as barometric pressure, temperature, wind direction and speed) should
be collected and documented during the ambient air sampling event.
Outdoor ambient sampling should begin at least 1 hour and preferably 2 hours before IA
sampling begins and continue until at least 30 minutes before IA sampling is complete. This
practice is recommended because most buildings have an hourly air exchange rate in the range of
0.25 to 1.0 per hour, which means that air entering a building before IA sampling can remain in
the building for a long time (ITRC 2007).
Section 6
44
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
6.6 Building Basement Types
Buildings completed below grade with basements or partial basements may be prone to VI for
several reasons. Floors and walls may have small voids and cracks that allow SG to enter the
building. Basements with earthen floors are especially susceptible to VI because of the large
surface area for SG migration into the overlying structure, especially if ventilation is not present
to dilute significant vapors. Finished basements (with living spaces) also can be of concern
because of a combination of insufficient ventilation and frequent use. Other "red flag" buildings
include those with basements sumps, walls with moisture barriers, and walls that are wet during
the rainy season. Evidence of drywells, cisterns, or other voids below basements should be
identified because these could be preferential pathways for VI.
This section describes five types of basements. Each type has a unique sampling approach to
determine if VI is occurring.
6.6.1 Concrete Floor
Basements with concrete floors can be finished or unfinished. Initially, at least one SS and one
IA sample should be collected from a concrete-floor basement, preferably near the middle of the
basement.
Finished concrete-floor basement
Section 6
45
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
6.6.2 Concrete Floor with Dirt Crawl Space
Sometimes a section of the basement has a concrete floor and is next to a crawl space lined with
dirt or rock. Initially, at least one SS sample should be collected from the concrete-floor section
of the basement and one IA sample should be collected from the crawl space area.
Dirt crawl space
6.6.3 Dirt Floor
For basements with dirt floors only, only one IA sample should be collected. No SS sample is
required. Some basements may have a partial slab large enough to allow vapors to accumulate
and to allow installation of a sampling port. Rock outcrops in basements can potentially create
routes for seepage of contaminated groundwater and vapors, and in these cases, IA sampling
should be conducted.
Basement with dirt floor
Section 6
46
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
6.6.4 Dirt Crawl Space Only
Structures having only a dirt crawl space beneath the foundation only require an IA sampling
within the crawl space area.
Dirt crawl space beneath foundation
6.6.5 No Basement or Slab Foundation
Property on slab foundation with no basement
Initially, at least one SS and one IA air sample should be collected from the main floor in
structures with no basements (slab foundations). The samples should be collected from near the
middle of the structure.
Section 6
47
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
6.7 Use of Mobile Laboratory or Field-Portable GC/MS
A mobile laboratory can be a faster, more cost effective way to expedite site characterization for
VI. However, mobile laboratories may be more operator-dependent than samples analyzed at a
fixed laboratory. The mobile laboratory may use U.S. EPA Method 8021B Modified or U.S.
EPA Method 8260 Modified. These methods originally were written for water and soil sample
analysis and have been modified for SG analysis. Data may be biased high (or low) for an air-
specific method such as TO-14A or TG-15. U.S. EPA recommends that results for at least 10
percent of the mobile laboratory samples be confirmed through analysis at a fixed laboratory
using U.S. EPA Method TO-14A or TO-15.
U.S. EPA Region 5 has used the ERT's
TAGA mobile laboratory to analyze air
samples from VI projects. The TAGA mobile
laboratory operates under ERT's Scientific,
Engineering, Response & Analytical Services
Contract (SERAS). At the Highway 7 and
Wooddale Avenue Project in St. Louis Park,
Minnesota, U.S. EPA's ERT SERAS
contractor installed approximately 268 SS
sample probes at a combination of residential
and commercial/industrial properties. The
TAGA unit was used to analyze SS air samples (using a modified U.S. EPA Method TO-15
analysis), and the results were compared to screening levels established by the state health
department.
The TAGA unit is self-contained and capable of real-time sampling and analysis at the part-per-
trillion-by-volume level for outdoor air, IA, and emissions from various environmental sources.
Each TAGA unit is equipped with the TAGA triple-quadruple mass spectrometer, a state-of-the-
art Agilent GC/MS for VOC analysis, and an Agilent MicroGC for permanent gas analyses.
Three TAGA systems in buses and one TAGA system in a trailer currently are available. Two
TAGA buses are located in Edison, New Jersey; one TAGA bus is located in Las Vegas,
Nevada; and the TAGA trailer is located in Research Park, North Carolina. More information
concerning the TAGA laboratory, its capabilities, and its schedule is available from Dave
Mickunas, TAGA Coordinator, at mickunas.dave@epa.gov or (919) 541-4191. Attachment I
contains a paper written by Dave Mickunas which explains how the TAGA can be used to
resolve VI issues.
Section 6
48
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Instrumentation in a TAG A bus
A field GC/MS can be another useful tool for VI investigation. A field GC/MS may be used to
identify pathways, such as gaps around utility conduits, transmissive slab cracks, or even
migration of VOCs through electrical outlets. The field GC/MS is not a "point-and-shoot"
instrument but may be useful for screening purposes at many sites.
6.8 Data Management
Sample data management is required to maintain data organization and tracking. A single person
should be tasked with maintaining a spreadsheet or database that organizes sampling location
data, contact information, access agreement status, sampling dates, sample identification
numbers, sample result mapping, status summary mapping, and all other sample-related
information.
As data are reported by the laboratory, results can be managed in different ways. If there are
only a few COCs, a spreadsheet can be used to manage the data. Attachment J provides an
example Excel spreadsheet used for the Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site to manage sampling
results for more than 400 sampling locations. If there are many COCs and many sampling
locations, SCRIBE should be used to manage the sample data. SCRIBE is a U.S. EPA data
management tool that allows users to import laboratory electronic data deliverables (EDD) into
the program. SCRIBE also allows users to query specific data values for efficient data
management. More information about SCRIBE is available at website address
http://www.ertsupport.org/scribe home.htm.
Section 6
49
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
mhdham
fARdST '-tCftiHAKoST
E HELENA ST
9
•l: ¦ ffi-J S
Aerial photography Source: Ohio EPA
BEHR Dayton
Thermal Products
Facility
Legend
Investigation Area
SSDS Location
Resample Location
New Sample Location
Demo Location
^|g&\ Prepared for:
»U.S. EPA REGION V
Contract No: EP-S5-06-04
wmm
Prepared by:
WESTON SOLUTIONS, INC.
4710-A Interstate Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45246
Status Summary Map
Behr Dayton Thermal Systems Site
Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio
November 24, 2009
0 0.05 o.i
e„ . . ^^¦=3 Miles
Example of a Color-Coded Status Summary Map
Section 6
50
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Section 7. Communication of Sampling Results
This section discusses the communication of sampling results by answering some FAQs.
7.1 How Should Building Owners be Notified of Sampling Results and the Need
for a VI Mitigation System?
Validated sampling results generally should be provided to property owners and tenants within
30 to 45 days of receipt of the results or sooner if the sampling data can be quickly validated. A
transmittal letter should indicate which future actions are necessary, if any, based on the
sampling results. It is important for OSCs and RPMs to communicate the fact that the decision
to install a VI mitigation system is based on a calculated risk that reflects many conservative and
health-protective factors.
The initial notification to residents and owners that their homes and buildings have been selected
to receive VI mitigation systems can be delivered in various ways. A primary way is a face-to-
face meeting with the building owner or occupant (with health department officials in
attendance) to explain the sampling results and next steps, including installation of a system.
Another method is a data transmittal letter. However, in many cases, the decision to install a
mitigation system will not have been made before the transmittal of sampling results. In these
cases, data transmittal letters can be sent to indicate that U.S. EPA is reviewing all data results
for the study area and is considering appropriate next steps. Then, once the decision document is
signed, a fact sheet can be developed and mailed to all community members in the affected area,
and a community meeting should be planned.
An example project discussing the communication of sampling results is presented below.
Example Project: Communication of Sampling Results
Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site, Dayton, Ohio
As sample results were received from the laboratory, the results were summarized in a letter that
could be easily understood by property owners and tenants. At the Behr Dayton VOC Removal
Site, there were basically two categories of properties: properties requiring no further action and
properties requiring mitigation. Each type is discussed below.
Properties Requiring No Further Action
During the U.S. EPA removal action, properties that did not show SS or IA concentrations
exceeding site-specific screening levels (10"4 risk levels) were mailed letters summarizing
sampling results and indicating that "No Further Action" was required by U.S. EPA. Attachment
K provides an example of a "No Further Action" letter.
During the removal action at the Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site, U.S. EPA re-sampled
properties biennially (during the 2010 remedial investigation) that had already been
sampled once (in 2008) and initially provided "No Further Action" letters due to an
undefined TCE groundwater plume. U.S. EPA also required re-sampling to include new SS
probes at least 20 feet from initial SS probes to account for potential spatial variability in SS
gas that may be accumulating beneath the properties.
Section 7
51
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Properties Requiring Mitigation
For properties that showed SS or IA concentrations exceeding the site-specific screening levels, a
meeting was arranged between U.S. EPA, the local health department, and the property owner
and tenants as applicable. The property owners and tenants were called and informed about the
meeting and informed that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss sample results. Once a
meeting date and time were scheduled, a Meeting Reminder Form (Attachment L) was mailed to
the property owner and tenants.
At the meeting, a sample result letter was provided to the property owner and any tenants.
Attachment M provides an example sample result letter for a property requiring mitigation. U.S.
EPA used a short PowerPoint slide presentation (Attachment N) to describe how the SS and IA
samples were collected, sample results, U.S. EPA's offer to install an SSDS, and the post-
installation SSDS proficiency sampling frequency.
The U.S. EPA OSC then explained that if an SSDS was accepted, the property owner would be
required to sign a form called the Residential Vapor Abatement System O&M Agreement
(Attachment O). This agreement summarizes the property sample results, explains that U.S.
EPA will install an SSDS, explains that the electrical costs to operate the SSDS will be the
responsibility of the property owner, and describes the frequency at which U.S. EPA would
collect post-installation SSDS proficiency samples.
For properties where SSDS installation was accepted, an ERRS contractor immediately
scheduled a site visit with the property owner to determine where SSDS extraction points would
be located and to estimate an installation cost to the OSC. The ERRS contractor filled out and
provided the property owner with a U.S. EPA Vapor Abatement System Contractor Visit
Reminder Form (Attachment P) before leaving the meeting.
After the site visit, the ERRS contractor, the SSDS installation subcontractor, and the property
agreed on an SSDS installation date. The ERRS contractor then filled out the U.S. EPA Vapor
Abatement System Installation Date Reminder Form (Attachment Q) and provided it to the
property owner.
As a reminder, it is critical to maintain constant communication with the property owner (and
tenants, if applicable) to ensure that any questions are answered and that the mitigation system is
installed timely and efficiently.
7.2 How Should Property Value and Disclosure Concerns be Addressed?
U.S. EPA staff should be very careful about discussing property value and disclosure issues. In
general, it is advisable to recommend that prospective buyers or sellers speak to real estate
professionals and local-area lenders about questions related to these subjects. However, it is
reasonable for U.S. EPA to indicate that a mitigation system is present to reduce exposure to
chemicals in IA. It also can be useful to explain that active VI mitigation systems are very
similar to radon mitigation systems, which have been widely used and accepted by the public.
Homeowners and prospective property owners can also be informed that the VI mitigation
system also addresses potential radon problems.
Property disclosure requirements vary depending on location. In general, U.S. EPA should
advise property owners that if they decide to sell their homes and buildings, they may be
required to disclose information about any VI sample results and the installation of VI mitigation
Section 7
52
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
systems. U.S. EPA also should advise property owners to consult with real estate professionals
regarding property disclosure requirements in their area.
At the Behr VOC Removal, an O&M Manual was provided to each property owner that received
an SSDS. The O&M Manual summarized pre and post mitigation sampling results and
information on the SSDS system. More information on the O&M Manual is located in Section
10.3.
7.3 How Should Community Health Concerns Be Addressed?
First of all, OSCs and RPMs should listen to community concerns. U.S. EPA's community
involvement coordinators and risk assessors are important resources for OSCs and RPMs in
dealing with VI issues. OSCs and RPMs cannot address the health concerns of individual
residents, but they can listen to health concerns and respond by providing factual information
about a site. If residents have specific questions regarding health concerns, they should be
referred to their personal physicians. In addition, ATSDR and state or local health agencies may
be able to provide health consultations to community residents.
Section 7
53
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Section 8. Decision Making at Vapor Intrusion Sites
This section focuses on decision-making at VI sites with respect to risk management and
mitigation decisions. This section is designed to assist U.S. EPA OSCs and RPMs in
determining how to proceed at VI sites when evaluating the need for a removal or remedial
action and for performing additional field work and collecting additional samples.
Superfund investigative and cleanup activities involve the need for careful decision making. It is
important to use the "multiple lines of evidence" approach to trace contamination from
groundwater to soil vapor to SS to IA (see Section 2.7).
VI sites have a significant potential for inconsistencies in approach because (1) investigative
tools and techniques continue to evolve, (2) IA emission sources must be addressed, (3)
investigative approaches vary, and (4) different media and exposure pathways (groundwater, SS,
and indoor air) are involved. U.S. EPA recognizes that the science is evolving and that
approaches may vary based on site-specific circumstances. This section attempts to present a
structure and approach for decision making.
It is strongly recommended that the U.S. EPA OSC or RPM form an investigative team for
a VI site. At a minimum, the team should include a toxicologist or risk assessor and a
hydrogeologist. The OSC or RPM may also add a person within or outside Region 5 with
significant VI investigation experience (such as U.S. EPA's ERT).
This section discusses generic guidelines for the Remedial and Removal Programs, site
Categories 1 through 5, commercial versus residential screening values, VI site-specific
considerations, mitigation decisions based on SS data - proactive mitigation, and toxicology and
risk assessment issues.
8.1 Generic Guidelines for Remedial and Removal Programs
The Superfund Program is responsible for evaluating potential risks and hazards at contaminated
sites and for making decisions regarding the need for conducting remedial or removal cleanups
of sites to protect human health and the environment. CERCLA and the NCP outline the
Superfund Program's core responsibilities.
The following sections discuss risk levels and VI data used for risk assessment and mitigation
decisions.
8.1.1 Risk Levels
Removal actions generally can be initiated when a site presents a carcinogenic risk
corresponding to a level of 1 in 10,000 (10"4) or greater (1 in 1,000) or, based on the current 2002
Draft Guidance, when non-cancer hazards exceed an HI or hazard quotient (HQ) of 10 or an
ATSDR acute (short-term) risk or screening level is exceeded. The cancer and non-cancer
trigger (screening) values are 10 times those recommended for remedial actions at VI sites. In
addition, removal actions can be initiated if a fire or explosion hazard exists.
For remedial actions, the general policy described in CERCLA and the NCP is that acceptable
exposure levels represent an excess, upper-bound lifetime cancer risk level to an individual of
between 1 in 10,000 (10"4) and 1 in 1 million (10"6). The 10"6 cancer risk level should be used as
a point of departure for determining remediation goals (NCP Section 300.430[e][2][A][2]).
Section 8
54
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Because of variability in VI measurements over time, this VI Guidebook recommends a trigger
level of 1 in 100,000 (10"5) cancer risk for combined carcinogens to undertake remedial action.
OSCs and RPMs should request SS and IA screening levels from ATSDR or Superfund
risk assessors. Screening levels may differ from state to state because the ATSDR consults with
state health departments when developing screening levels. Additionally, OSCs and RPMs
should request screening levels specific for the type of property (such as residential versus
commercial) and the air space being sampled (such as SS versus IA).
The Removal Program makes use of both short- and long-term screening levels. For example,
for VI sites in the State of Ohio, the U.S. EPA OSC or RPM requests a site-specific health
consultation (HC) document or Technical Assistance letter from the ATSDR and ODH. The HC
document and Technical Assistance letter provide the OSC or RPM with recommended short-
term action levels and long-term screening levels for the COCs at residential and commercial
properties. Attachment R provides an example of an HC document.
Short-term exposure levels typically are derived from ATSDR's intermediate Environmental
Media Evaluation Guide (EMEG). The intermediate EMEG applies to exposure durations of
longer than 2 weeks but less than 1 year. Exposure levels exceeding levels derived based on the
EMEG will not necessarily result in adverse health effects but should prompt further evaluation
of potential public health threats to residents.
Under most circumstances, short-term exposure levels exceeding levels derived based on the
EMEG should result in a recommendation to take actions to reduce exposure. The greater the
exceedance of levels derived based on the EMEG, the greater the need for a rapid mitigation
response and potential relocation of residents. Rapid mitigation may also be undertaken if SS
sample results exceed 10 percent of the LEL or if IA sample results exceed 1 percent of the LEL.
Long-term screening or risk levels are those indicated in U.S. EPA's Draft Guidance (available
at website address http://epa.gov/osw/hazard/correctiveaction/eis/vapor/complete.pdf). The
Draft Guidance levels are based on a 1 in 10,000 (10"4) cancer risk level. Exceedance of the
long-term screening values indicates an increased potential for health effects from exposure, and
mitigation is warranted.
8.1.2 VI Data Used for Risk Assessment and Mitigation Decisions
CSMs for evaluating the VI pathway are complex because they need to account for migration of
contaminants from one medium (such as groundwater or soil) to a vapor phase that can collect
underneath building foundations (SS) and finally enter through building foundations into IA. If
the OSC or RPM documents the migration of contaminants from groundwater (or soil) to SG to
SS to IA, the VI pathway is considered a completed exposure pathway.
Thus, for the VI pathway, multiple media may be involved. Quantitative estimates of risks and
hazards as well as levels for IA contaminants that are protective of people can be reliably
developed. However, risk assessments and mitigation decisions must also account for several
complicating factors, such as (1) the ubiquitous use of products containing VOCs in indoor
environments, (2) contributions from ambient air, and (3) site-specific parameters that control
contaminant migration from the subsurface to IA.
After receiving the site-specific screening levels, OSCs and RPMs should use existing
groundwater and SG vapor data, if available, to determine which buildings are most likely to be
Section 8
55
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
impacted by VI at levels that may pose a health hazard. The OSC and RPM also should consider
the possibility of preferential pathways for vapor migration, such as sewer and utility lines and
the geology of the area. With the property owner's approval (a signed access agreement), SS
samples are collected to determine if vapors have migrated to and accumulated at levels of
concern below the residence or building. If SS screening levels are exceeded, then IA samples
are collected after the property is screened for potential IA sources (such as the presence of
recently dry cleaned clothes, paint cans, other solvents, or gas-powered equipment).
The U.S. EPA Region 5 approach recommends that OSCs and RPMs use both SS and IA
data before deciding on VI mitigation options for an individual residence. If IA screening
levels are exceeded, then mitigation should be considered. For petroleum VI sites, explosion
potential should be included in the screening and can be documented in a removal action
memorandum as a basis for a removal action.
For VI removal actions in Region 5, to document a health threat, the removal action
memorandum must present the results of at least one SS sample exceeding the SS screening
levels and the results of the corresponding IA sample also exceeding the IA screening levels
(completed exposure pathway). The OSC or RPM should make site-specific decisions, and his
or her investigation team should make evaluations on a case-by-case basis, followed by the
preparation of appropriate decision documentation for review and concurrence by program
management staff. For an emergency, the OSC's delegated warrant authority may be utilized to
initiate a removal action.
Based on discussion with removal management staff, OSCs and RPMs should be aware that they
generally are expected to collect IA analytical data (and document a completed exposure
pathway) or have access to IA data collected during a remedial action before they make a health
threat determination. The rationale for this approach lies in the Removal Program's focus on
addressing exposures at the higher end of the acceptable risk range and the preference for taking
mitigation action when a release or threat is of an immediate nature. Exceptions likely will
occur, for example, during emergencies when dangerous indoor air readings are recorded with
hand-held instruments, extremely high SS readings are measured in the SS probe, or chemical-
tainted water or liquid is observed seeping through the walls or floor.
The Superfund Program must address only contamination determined to be site-related. Because
the use of VOC-containing products in residences may contribute to the detection of elevated air
concentrations during an investigation, the use of IA concentrations alone for making cleanup
decisions generally is not recommended. In most cases across the country, states and U.S. EPA
regions begin a VI investigation outside a residence first, preferring to collect groundwater, SG,
and SS vapor samples before proceeding to IA sampling.
Although this VI Guidebook does not present a required approach, the OSC should be aware that
the decision to take mitigation action at a residence without the collection of IA samples may
require a solid, documented supporting rationale. If the OSC believes that mitigation is
warranted based on SS data and if an AF other than the standard default factor of 1 to 10 (SS to
IA) is used, the OSC should consult with other personnel, such as the ERT.
In light of the Remedial Program's responsibility and authority to address chronic health risks (in
contrast to the more time-critical risks addressed under the Removal Program), RPMs may have
greater leeway in making mitigation decisions based on SS data without IA data, but again,
consultation is advised.
Section 8
56
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Revisions to the approach outlined above are possible in the future based on advances in VI
technical research and on how U.S. EPA Headquarters and Region 5 develop procedural policy
regarding VI sites.
8.2 Site Categories 1 through 5
Although multiple decision points can be reached after sampling at a site, ultimately, there are
only two choices: no mitigation required or mitigation required. U.S. EPA Region 5 has
developed the following categories for sites:
• Category 1: No further action site
• Category 2: Borderline site (more information needed)
• Category 3: Remedial site with removal support
• Category 4: High-priority removal site
• Category 5: Emergency removal site
Figure 6 below is a general flow chart showing the site categorization and decision-making process
for evaluating both SS and IA data. Figure 7 is a general flow chart outlining the decision-making
process for evaluating both SS and IA data for the Removal Program. The figures are followed by
a table that summarizes actions for sites in each category
When simultaneous SS and IA sampling are conducted or when both SS and IA data are
available, the conclusion of the IA sampling becomes the primary determinant for action,
even if SS sample results exceed screening levels. However, even when IA risk levels exceed
levels of concern, SS screening levels should also exceed levels of concern before action is taken.
Furthermore, when SS contamination is the primary source of IA contamination, generally, the IA
levels at most are one-tenth the SS levels. If IA levels are higher than one-tenth SS levels, IA may
be contaminated with VOC sources other than those found at the site. When IA and SS levels do
not represent expected relationships, the Figure 6 and Figure 7 flow charts below rather than the
table presented after the flow charts are more useful because of their added detail.
Section 8
57
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
No further action by Removal or Remedial Program:
Category 1: 0.01 to 0.1 screening or risk level
Removal action installation of vapor mitigation system
(Removal Program)
Category 4: 1 to 10 times screening or risk level
Category 5: 10 to 100 times screening or risk level
Yes
No
Yes
No
Do SS results
exceed 10% LEL?
SS and IA sampling
(may be simultaneous)
Do SS results exceed
short-term emergency SS
action levels?
Do SS results exceed
long-term SS screening or
risk levels?
Do IA results exceed long-
term (remedial) IA
screening or risk levels?
SS sampling
IA sampling
Do IA results exceed 1%
LEL or short-term IA action
levels?
Immediate action may be needed to eliminate explosive hazard
Category 5 (Emergency removal site)
Evaluation to determine programmatic lead and actions
Category 3 and 4:1 to 10 times screening or risk level
Category 5: 10 to 100 times screening or risk level
Periodic air sampling to confirm IA levels < 1 in 10"5 cancer risk
and non-cancer HI <1 (IA values generally preferred over SS
values for decision making (see text)
Category 2: 0.1 to 1 times screening or risk level
Consideration of immediate installation of vapor abatement
mitigation system prior to sampling indoor air
Category 5:10 to 100times screening or risk level
Category 4:1-10 times screening or risk level
Evaluate IA data to decide appropriate response
Category 2: 0.1 to 1.0 times screening or risk level
Category 3 or 4: 1.0 to 10 times screening or risk level
Category 5: 10 to 100 times screening or risk level
Figure 6 - General Decision-Making Process Flow Chart
Section 8
58
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Do IA results exceed 1% LEL?
Do SS results exceed 10% LEL?
Category 1: No Further Action
IA and SS Sampling
(may be simultaneous)
Category 2: Re-evaluate site, and
possible resampling of SS and IA
Immediate action may be needed
to eliminate explosion hazard
Resample Property - Possible IA
Interference
Do SS results exceed short-term
(10"4) removal risk levels?
(site-specific SS screening levels)
Do IA results exceed short-term
(10 4) removal risk levels?
(site-specific IA screening levels)
Do IA results exceed short-term
(10 4) removal risk levels?
(site-specific IA screening levels)
Category 4:1 to 10 times risk level
Category 5: Greater than 10 times risk
level AND SS data indicate greater than
10 times risk level
MITIGATION REQUIRED
Figure 7 - Decision-Making Process Flow Chart for Removal Program
Section 8
59
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
The table below provides another way to illustrate how sites are categorized based on measured
VOC levels in SS and IA and actions to be taken for each category. The categories are not
intended to be rigid. To show how a VI problem should be categorized, the VOC PCE is used as
an example. The current remedial screening or risk level for PCE in IA based on a 1 in 100,000
(10"5) cancer risk is 0.6 ppb, and the current removal screening value for PCE in IA is 6 ppb, which
corresponds to a 1 in 10,000 (10"4) cancer risk.
Risk
Category 1-
Category 2 -
Category 3 -
Category 4 -
Category 5 -
Levels and
No further
Borderline
Remedial site with
High-priority
Emergency
Actions
action site
site
removal support
removal site
removal site
Action
Less than the
Greater than
1 to 10 times
Greater than
Greater than
or Risk
Risk Levels
the SS Risk
remedial SS and IA
removal SS
10 times both
Level1
of
Level but
Risk Levels of
Risk Level and
the SS and IA
concern2 and 3
less than the
IA Risk
Levels of
concern2 and 3
concern2
between 1 and
10 times
removal IA
Risk Level of
concern3
Risk Levels of
concern3
SS Risk
Remedial
Remedial
Remedial Site:
Removal Site:
Removal
Level4
Site:
PCE <6 ppb
Site:
PCE >6 ppb
PCE 6 ppb to 60 ppb
PCE > 60 ppb
Site:
PCE > 600
<10"5 HI <1
V
o
L/i
K
l-H
V
10"5 to 10"4
>10"4
ppb
Removal
Removal
HI - 1 to 10
HI >10
Site:
Site:
>10"3
PCE <60 ppb
PCE >60 ppb
HI >100
<10"4HI<10
>10"4HI>10
IA Risk
Remedial
Remedial
Remedial Site:
Removal Site:
Removal
Level4
Site:
Site:
PCE 0.6 ppb to 6
PCE 6 ppb to
Site:
PCE <0.6
PCE <0.6
ppb
60 ppb
PCE > 60 ppb
ppb
<10"5 HI <1
ppb
<10"5 HI <1
10"5 to 10"4
10"4 to 10"3
>10"3
Removal
Removal
HI - 1 to 10
HI - 10 to 100
HI >100
Site:
Site:
PCE <6 ppb
PCE <6 ppb
<10"4HI<10
<10"4HI<10
Action
None
Resampling
Mitigation
Removal
mitigation
Rapid
mitigation
Notes:
1 Action levels are short-term levels of concern (such as ATSDR's EMEG values), including LELs.
Risk levels are cancer and non-cancer HI (or HQ) long-term screening levels.
2 Remedial levels of concern are chemical levels in IA resulting in an additive risk above 1 in 100,000
(10-5) lifetime cancer risk and an HI or HQ greater than 1.0 based on U.S. EPA's reference dose
(RfD) or ATSDR's chronic minimum risk levels (MRL).
3 Removal levels of concern are chemical levels in IA resulting in an additive risk above 1 in 10,000
(10-4) lifetime cancer risk and an HI or HQ greater than 10 based on EPA's RfD or ATSDR's
Section 8
60
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
intermediate MRLs. As noted in the table and discussed in text, the Removal Program may take
action based on high SS values alone.
4 SS values generally should be 10 or more times greater than IA values. Conversely, IA values are
generally expected be one-tenth SS values.
The flow charts in Figures 6 and 7 and table above provide a general illustration of the
categorization of sites and the decision-making process. The following sections provide further
discussion of the categories (including examples).
8.2.1 Category 1 - No Further Action Site
If SS and IA sample results are below the applicable risk levels, then no further action should be
taken at a site by either the Removal or Remedial Programs.
Example
SS data: Cancer risk < 1 in 1 million (10"6) and non-cancer HI < 0.1
IA data: Cancer risk < 1 in 1 million (10"6) and HI < 0.1
In this example, the SS and IA sample results both range from one-tenth to one-one-hundredth
the respective screening levels of the 1 in 10,000 cancer risk used by the Removal Program
and the 1 in 100,000 cancer risk used by the Remedial Program. Non-cancer HI values are
one-one-hundredth the trigger of 10 used by the Removal Program and one-tenth the trigger
value of 1.0 used by the Remedial Program.
If PCE has a removal screening level (one in 10"4 cancer risk) of 6 ppb for IA, and PCE levels
are observed near 0.06 ppb (a one in a million cancer risk) or 100 times lower are of no health
concern.
Action to be taken: No further action
For Category 1 sites, no further action is taken for the VI pathway and no additional SS or IA
sampling is needed because as it is unlikely that a second IA sample would yield potentially
unacceptable risk levels, even with a 10-fold increase resulting from temporal or spatial
variability. No significant exposure pathway is documented, and no further actions for VI are
needed. However, if the site has groundwater contamination, the Remedial Program should
conduct a site assessment and determine appropriate subsequent steps.
8.2.2 Category 2 - Borderline Site
If SS sample results are greater than the applicable levels of health concern and the IA sample
results are less than the potential levels of health concern, additional rounds of SS and IA
sampling are warranted inclusive of worst-case conditions. Worst-case conditions depend on
seasonal groundwater level and home heating and cooling factors. Because of seasonal
variations, resampling should be conducted by either the Removal or Remedial Program. If the
results fall within the values shown below, then an unacceptable IA risk is unlikely and no
further action for IA is needed under either the Removal or Remedial Programs.
Section 8
61
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Example
SS data: Cancer risk between 1 in 1,000,000 (10"6) and 1 in 10,000 (10"4) or non-cancer HI is
between 1 and 10.
IA data: Cancer risk < 1 in 100,000 (10"5) [remedial] or < 1 in 10,000 (10"4) [removal] or non-
cancer HI is between 0.1 and 1
The SS sample result may approach the SS screening levels (one in 10,000 risk (10"4)), but the
IA sample result is less than the IA screening levels used by both the Removal and Remedial
Programs.
In other words, the chemical is documented below the structure and is present in the IA at low
levels. If IA PCE levels were found approaching 0.6 ppb (a one in 100,000 risk (10"5)), this
might be a potential long-term health concern.
Action to be taken: SS and IA should be resampled under worst-case conditions. If IA levels
are below action or risk levels, then no further action is needed.
Although it is recognized that VI issues alone will not drive an NPL listing, the Remedial
Program should undertake an SA and determine appropriate subsequent steps, including
groundwater monitoring.
8.2.3 Category 3 - Remedial Site with Removal Support
This category represents site with initial SS and IA levels either at or above 10 times short- or
long-term screening risk levels used by the Remedial Program. For sites in this category,
remediation generally is conducted by the Remedial Program, with removal support. Although
the Removal Program generally deals with cancer risks greater than 1 in 10,000 (10"4) or non-
cancer HI values of 10 or greater, sites with IA levels resulting in cancer risks greater than 1 in
100,000 or non-cancer HI values of 1.0 or greater may be more appropriately addressed by the
Removal Program, especially if the number of sites is small. OSCs and removal managers, in
discussion with remedial counterparts (if necessary), should make decisions regarding
appropriate actions.
Section 8
62
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Example
SS data: Cancer risk between 1 in 10,000 (10"4) and 1 in 1,000 (10"3) or non-cancer HI between
10 and 100
IA data: Cancer risk between 1 in 10,000 (10"4) and 1 in 100,000 (10"5) or HI between 1 and 10
Both the SS and IA sample results exceed screening levels. In other words, a chemical is
documented below the structure and is present at significant levels in IA . A completed
exposure pathway is documented.
For example, PCE levels might range from 0.6 ppb to just below 6.0 ppb, which are at or above
respective screening levels of one in 100,000 risk and near a one in 10,000 risk.
Action to be taken: Mitigation is warranted by the Remedial Program. Mitigation may include
the installation of a residential vapor abatement mitigation system. Section 9 of this VI
Guidebook discusses mitigation options.
If the site is referred to the Remedial Program, it should be recognized that individual properties
may require several additional rounds of IA sampling. A decision to undertake mitigation may
partially be based on the cost of mitigation weighed against the cost of additional future
monitoring or sampling to ensure that IA concentrations are not increasing or fluctuating within
an unacceptable range.
Unless at least two rounds of additional sampling are conducted with results that clearly show
risk levels below levels of concern (1 in 10,000 cancer risk and non-cancer HI less than 1.0),
then mitigation under the Remedial Program generally is recommended when IA levels exceed a
1 in 100,000 cancer risk and an HI of 1.0. A vapor abatement system is one example of a
mitigation system.
Actions for Category 3 sites could include installation of SSDSs, changing the pressurization of
the building, increasing ventilation in the building (such as through air exchange), removing
source material, and remediating contaminated environmental media. These types of actions
could be initiated directly (removal site) or evaluated under an engineering evaluation/cost
analyses (EE/CA) (non-time-critical removal or remedial site) or feasibility study (remedial site).
SS vapor concentrations may be so elevated that the future potential for VI (if foundation
conditions deteriorate or pressure gradients change) require mitigation to prevent future exposure
at levels of concern. In this case, even if IA concentrations do not exceed levels of concern on
the date that sampling is conducted, the presence of a significant source may warrant mitigation
action (if SS levels are extremely high) or additional sampling at different times of the year. IA
concentrations can fluctuate and increase over time as building foundations age and conditions
change. Site managers may require additional monitoring and detailed information on (among
other things) slab construction and age, the presence of conduits and cracks (and the potential for
more), potential modifications that could change the integrity of the slab, and slab covering.
Because a site yields risk levels of concern, the Remedial Program should undertake an SA and
consider the next appropriate steps, including groundwater monitoring.
Section 8
63
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
8.2.4 Category 4 - High-Priority Removal Site
This category represents properties with initial SS and IA data for VOC levels equal to or up to
10 times greater than short- or long-term screening risk levels (such as a 1 in 10,000 cancer risk
level for IA) used by the Removal Program. Because IA risk levels of heath concern have been
exceeded, additional sampling is not required before mitigation.
Example
SS data: Cancer risk 1 in 1,000 or HI between 10 and 100
IA data: Cancer risk 1 in 10,000 or HI >10
The removal action criteria have been exceeded if the PCE SS level is greater than 6 ppb and
the IA PCE level is greater than 0.6 ppb. The levels exceed the 1 in 10,000 cancer risk and the
properties require mitigation.
Actions to be taken: Mitigation may include installation of a residential vapor abatement
system. Section 9 of this VI Guidebook discusses mitigation options.
Because contamination is present at significant levels require mitigation of properties,
remediation of groundwater contamination and other actions will also likely be needed.
8.2.5 Category 5: Emergency Removal Site
VOCs may be detected at dangerous levels, especially chemicals at concentrations exceeding
LELs or 10 to 100 times greater than ATSDR short-term action levels or long-term screening
levels. Under such circumstances, rapid mitigation within weeks is needed.
Example
SS data: LEL > 10% — emergency actions may be undertaken, ATSDR short-term action level
>10 times, or cancer risk > 1 in 100 or HI > 1,000
IA data: LEL > 1% — emergency actions may be undertaken, ATSDR short-term action level >
10 times, or cancer risk > 1 in 1,000 or HI > 100
If the SS sample results exceed the LEL by greater than 10 percent or the IA data exceed the
LEL by greater than 1 percent, emergency actions may be undertaken. Emergency actions
should be taken if SS or IA results exceed the ATSDR short-term action levels by 10-fold.
At a residential site where PCE is observed in the IA at 6 ppb (equal to one in 10,000 cancer
risk), an emergency situation would exist if IA levels were found to be more than 60 ppb or 10
times greater than the 10"4 screening level. An emergency situation would also exist if SS PCE
concentrations were found to be 600 ppb, since it would be possible that 60 ppb IA levels
(equal to a 1 in 1,000 cancer risk) could be reached using an attenuation factor of 0.1.
Actions to be taken: Any residences with IA concentrations greater than those discussed above
require rapid mitigation within a few weeks of the receipt of sampling results. As previously
discussed, early actions may also be undertaken based on elevated SS sample results.
Section 8
64
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Because contamination is present at significant levels, mitigation is required, including
remediation of groundwater contamination and possibly other actions.
8.3 Commercial versus Residential Screening Levels
When determining whether to use the residential or commercial screening or action levels to
compare sampling results, OSCs and RPMs should ask, "Is someone currently living or will be
living at the site?" If the answer is "yes," then the sample results should be compared to
residential screening or action levels.
If a site has a commercial business on the first floor and an apartment on the second floor, then
the most conservative action or screening level (residential level) must be used for comparison.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) values for VOCs are not appropriate for
commercial or industrial facilities when VI is determined to be the source of contamination.
To date in Ohio, for example, for a school, ATSDR and ODH have recommended that sample
results be compared to residential screening or action levels because of the sensitive population
within the school. These levels may be adjusted to account for the length of the school day and
the number of months the school is in session, although it is also acceptable to use residential
criteria only.
The use of commercial action and screening levels may also be recommended by the state health
department.
8.4 VI Site-Specific Considerations
Contaminant migration from groundwater or soil into buildings may vary greatly, not only from
site to site but also from building to building within a site and even from building section to
section. These differences are due to site-specific parameters, such as soil type, building
foundation type and condition, preferential pathways such as fractures in underlying rock or
underground utilities, and differential building pressures. Within a neighborhood, different
basement types (such as poured concrete, crawl spaces, cracked concrete, and dirt floors) are the
biggest variable in evaluating residences. These characteristics make it extremely difficult if not
impossible to extrapolate VI scenarios among sites and generally require the evaluation of
multiple lines of evidence to make cleanup decisions, including data from more than one
environmental medium (such as groundwater, SS vapor, and IA). In order to address these many
variables, sampling plans should be carefully designed to gather data that can best be used to
evaluate human exposure. The data collected then should be used to make informed decisions
regarding the need for mitigation. Generally, these decisions are made on a case-by-case basis
and may involve the use of IA measurements and other environmental measurements.
To provide consistency in the evaluation of VI sites, U.S. EPA prepared the Draft Guidance.
The 2007 ITRC document follows up on the Draft Guidance with updated procedures. This VI
Guidebook was prepared to provide some consistency in Region 5 in the making of mitigation
decisions for VI sites. Section 8.5 below provides guidelines to assist OSCs and RPMs in
making reasonably consistent cleanup decisions, recognizing that site-specific factors and
innovative approaches may result in modifications.
Section 8
65
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
8.5 Mitigation Decisions Based on SS Data - Proactive Mitigation
As discussed previously, to initiate a VI removal action, a complete VI exposure pathway must
be documented, meaning that SS and IA screening levels are exceeded based on multiple lines of
evidence. A completed exposure pathway documents an actual threat under the NCP. For a
large removal action such as that taken at the Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site, over 400
residential samples were collected, and results for more than 75 percent exceeded the IA
screening levels. The OSC used a proactive mitigation concept based on SS data and multiple
lines of evidence. Proactive mitigation should be considered only when a complete VI exposure
pathway is documented.
One approach to making mitigation decisions for VI sites involves the use of the default AFs
discussed above or site-specific AFs developed by a project manager. In such cases, the project
manager should have SS data for individual homes and should make a mitigation decision based
on the SS results. Accompanying IA data may or may not exist. Even if IA data are available,
VOC data should not be used to decide if mitigation is conducted but may influence when
mitigation takes place (the higher the levels and potential IA threat, the higher the priority for
action). If the chosen SS-to-IA AF predicts IA levels above acceptable health criteria, mitigation
action should be taken. This concept has been termed "proactive mitigation" and could apply to
other nearby residences over the groundwater plume or having subsurface soil contamination but
no SS data yet.
As noted in ITRC 2007, several states (and possibly some U.S. EPA regional programs)
apparently use this approach. The ITRC document even states that "if sub-slab concentrations
are more than 1000 to 10,000 times the target indoor air levels, the probability of unacceptable
VI is likely sufficient to warrant proactive mitigation without further investigation." The
advantages and disadvantages of proactive mitigation are discussed below.
The largest benefit of proactive mitigation based on SS data is the time and resources saved from
not having to conduct several rounds of IA sampling at individual residences. IA sampling can
be time-consuming and challenging, especially when multiple residences are to be sampled,
because it requires the routine removal of VOC-containing products from residences,
inconveniences residents, and presents scheduling difficulties. In many cases, proactive
mitigation at residences predicted to have elevated IA readings based on SS results may actually
save money when the costs of multiple sampling events and contractor and U.S. EPA personnel
labor are considered. Another advantage to proactive mitigation is that the SS environment
generally is believed to be more stable than IA, with less fluctuations in concentrations over
time. If SS samples are collected properly, the common belief is that SS sample results should
not be influenced by extraneous household chemicals.
Risk managers should justify a decision to take mitigation action based on acceptance of the AF
approach and the potentiator IA values to reach unacceptable levels. In theory, risk managers
could justify mitigation even if a one or two-time IA sampling event revealed results below
levels of concern because the OSC or RPM would be relying on the predictive capability of the
AF and a belief that, over time, deteriorating foundation conditions could only result in greater
opportunity for vapors to enter a residence.
Alternatively, OSCs and RPMs should evaluate the following factors when considering proactive
mitigation: (1) how to rationalize the use of default AFs, (2) the lack of direct exposure data, (3)
how to adequately answer resident queries about their potential past exposure to subsurface
Section 8
66
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
contaminants that may have migrated to IA, and (4) the likely need to sample IA in any case to
determine the effectiveness of a VI mitigation system. Unfortunately, a cursory review of the
current "Vapor Intrusion Database" reveals that even site-specific IA-to-SS attenuation ratios can
vary widely from building to building and even within the same building at different locations
because many variables affect the migration of vapors into residences.
8.6 Toxicology and Risk Assessment Issues
This section addresses toxicology and risk assessment related to VI issues by answering FAQs
about these issues.
8.6.1 Are There Updates to Screening Tables in the 2002 Draft Guidance?
As of the date of this VI Guidebook, the Draft Guidance screening tables have not been updated.
Since the release of the Draft Guidance in 2002, the Superfund Program has adopted U.S. EPA's
inhalation dosimetry methodology (see "Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund" [RAGS] F at
website address: http://rais.ornl.gov/homepage/RAGS F EPA540R070002.pdf). This
methodology does not recommend the use of simple route-to-route extrapolation such as those
presented in the Draft VI Guidance. The Regional Screening Levels for Chemical Contaminants
at Superfund Sites provides a more updated collection of inhalation toxicity values (website
address http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/risk/human/rb-concentration table/index.htm).
8.6.2 What is the Vapor AF (Alpha Value)?
The vapor AF is a unitless empirical ratio of the IA contaminant concentration to the subsurface
(SS) contaminant concentration. It is defined as the IA contaminant concentration divided by the
contaminant concentration in either SG or groundwater. The SG equation is presented below.
(O.sg) Cindoor/CSoil gas
For example, a site with soil gas TCE concentration of 2,000
[j,g/m3 in SG and 2 (J,g/m3 in IA would have an AF of (2 / 2,000),
or 0.001.
The groundwater equation is presented below.
(ttgw) — Cindoor/(Cgroundwater x H x 1,000 L/m )
In this equation, H is the compound's unitless Henry's Law
constant.
Typically, the alpha factor is calculated based on SG or SS vapor and IA data, but as shown in
the equation above, it also can be calculated based on groundwater data. Concentrations for gas
samples generally are presented in (j,g/m3, and concentrations for groundwater samples generally
are presented in (J,g/L.
8.6.3 What are OSWER's Recommended Default AFs?
The default AFs are designed to be conservative and generally are intended to capture ("screen
in") approximately 95 percent of the SS AFs in the "Vapor Intrusion Database" as of 2008.
if
~ ~ ~
TCE = 2 ug/m3
TCE = 2,000 ug/rr
3
Section 8
67
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
These generic AFs may be used to screen out a site from further investigation or alternatively, to
prompt additional characterization and mitigation (if needed). For example, the generic 0.1 SS
AF "screens in" approximately 95 percent of the observed SS AFs in the "Vapor Intrusion
Database" as of 2008. That is to say, measured or estimated (from groundwater) SS
concentrations greater than 10 times the target IA concentrations should be "screened in" for
further investigation for possibly unacceptable VI risk. Conversely, SS concentrations measured
or reasonably estimated to be below 10 times the target IA concentrations can be "screened out"
for VI concerns.
Alternatively, measured or estimated SS concentrations two orders of magnitude (100 times)
greater than the target IA concentrations are expected to result in unacceptable VI risk, and
exposure mitigation could be considered without further delay. For example, the 2008 "Vapor
Intrusion Database" shows that only 7 percent of the observed SS AFs are lower than two orders
of magnitude below the generic screening value of 0.1 (that is, have AFs less than 0.001).
Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that less attenuation is occurring at any site with an AF
greater than 0.001 because approximately 93 percent of the sites in the 2008 "Vapor Intrusion
Database" have higher AFs. Therefore, under these conditions, it is reasonable to consider
exposure controls before or as part of further studies "confirming" unacceptable VI risk.
A recent evaluation of the paired environmental samples in the "Vapor Intrusion Database"
indicates that the default AFs in the 2002 Draft Guidance remain appropriate except for the AFs
for deep SG. Screening tables using the toxicity values in the Risk-Based Concentration Tables
and the default AFs may be developed. Until this effort is completed, risk assessors can generate
screening tables using this same method by looking for the chemical-specific toxicity value on
the Risk-Based Concentration Tables and applying the following default AFs from the 2002
Draft Guidance:
• Groundwater to IA = 0.001
• SG to IA = 0.1 (see Note below)
• SS to IA = 0.1
• Crawl space to IA = 1
Note: The 2002 Draft Guidance recommends AFs for both shallow and deep SG, but at this time,
use of the shallow SG AF only is recommended. A "Preliminary Evaluation of Attenuation
Factors" is available at website address
http://iavi.rti. org/OtherDocuments.cfm?PageID=documentDetails&AttachID=369.
8.6.4 What is the Current Approach for Assessing Risk at TCE Sites?
TCE is one of the most prevalent contaminants at Superfund sites. A draft health risk assessment
was produced in 2001 and is included in the 2002 Draft Guidance. However, in 2006, the
National Research Council issued a report that concludes, "additional studies should be
considered and some dose-response models should be revised." In response, U.S. EPA has
withdrawn the 2001 draft assessment. In the interim, until the revised TCE assessment is
completed, the Superfund Program is implementing its toxicity hierarchy policy (OSWER
Directive 9285.7-53) for selecting alternative values. The Superfund Program recommends
using the California EPA (CalEPA) cancer slope factor and inhalation unit risk (IUR) values to
Section 8
68
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
determine preliminary remediation goals. Using the CalEPA IUR, IA concentrations associated
with the lO"6 to 10"4 risk range are approximately 1.2 to 120 (J,g/m3 (0.2 to 22.3 ppbv), with 1
[j,g/m3 (0.19 ppbv) being the point of departure (see the Regional Screening Levels for Chemical
Contaminants at Superfund Sites at website address
http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/risk/human/rb-concentration table/index.htm).
For further information on appropriate sources and references for TCE, OSCs and RPMs should
contact the Superfund Technical Support Center or U.S. EPA Headquarters regarding the use of
Tier 3 values.
OSCs and RPMs should consult ATSDR or U.S. EPA risk assessors for recommended site-
specific SS and IA screening levels.
It is important that the risk assessor and risk manager consider both the cancer and non-cancer
endpoints when evaluating risk and the need to take an action at a site.
8.6.5 How Should Risk Assessors Evaluate Chemicals with No Inhalation
Toxicity Values (RfCs and lURs)?
When evaluating IA data and data from other media sampled as part of a VI investigation, risk
assessors should quantitatively evaluate the risk for chemicals for which inhalation toxicity
values are available as stated in U.S. EPA's Toxicity Hierarchy memorandum (available at
website address http://www.epa.gov/oswer/riskassessment/pdf/hhmemo.pdf). In addition,
consultations with ATSDR should be conducted as appropriate. If actionable risk has been
estimated, risk managers can take appropriate actions to address the risk. If actionable risk has
not been estimated, then uncertainty associated with chemicals for which no inhalation toxicity
values are available should be discussed as a potential underestimation of risk and communicated
to the risk managers.
8.6.6 Should Risks be Calculated for Adults and Children Separately?
If site-related chemicals known to act through a mutagenic mode of action (MMOA) for
carcinogenicity are evaluated and no child-specific IUR exists, then it is appropriate to apply
age-dependent adjustment factors to the appropriate age ranges for children. No other
adjustments to inhalation toxicity values are recommended for assessing risk to children. The
list of chemicals that U.S. EPA has identified as acting through a MMOA is available at website
address www.epa.gov/osa/spc/cancer guidelines.htm.
If adults and children are exposed under similar scenarios (that is the exposure time, frequency,
and duration are consistent), then no adjustment is necessary to estimate exposure.
8.6.7 Is it Appropriate to use OSHA Standards to Evaluate Worker VI Risk?
OSHA standards should NOT be used to evaluate risk from VI or to establish appropriate IA
target levels. The OSHA standards are not fully risk-based. Furthermore, at sites subject to
CERCLA, cleanup levels are determined based on applicable or relevant and appropriate
requirements (ARAR) or through the risk assessment process. OSHA standards are not ARARs
under CERCLA statutes and regulations.
Section 8
69
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
8.6.8 What if VI is a Potential Risk Concern in a Non-residential Setting?
Appropriate steps should be taken to investigate VI exposures and to reduce risks to acceptable
levels under all non-residential settings when workplace-related vapors are not expected
(because chemicals forming hazardous vapors are not being used as a part of routine operations)
or in workplaces where the general public is expected to be present.
Non-residential settings can include, for example, institutional and commercial settings (such as
schools, libraries, hospitals, hotels, and retail establishments), places where the public is
expected to be present, and occupational-only settings where chemicals forming hazardous
vapors generally are not a known or well-recognized part of routine operations (such as for non-
industrial settings such as commercial office buildings). In such non-residential settings, it is
generally recommend that VI risks be evaluated using existing guidance, with appropriate
adjustments for non-residential building and exposure parameters.
Section 8
70
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Section 9. Mitigation Options
This section discusses mitigation options to reduce VI exposure if SS and IA sample results
document a completed exposure pathway, followed by answers to FAQs regarding mitigation
options. Additional information regarding mitigation options for VI is available in the
Engineering Issue: Indoor Air Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Approaches at website address
http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pubs/600r08115/600r08115.pdf.
9.1 Sealing Cracks and Holes in Concrete Floors or Walls
The first step in remediating a site should be inspection of the concrete floor or walls for cracks
and holes. Chemical vapors tend to migrate through cracks and holes in floors or walls. If
cracks or holes are observed, they should be sealed with a tube of concrete filler or hydraulic
cement. Also, the use of "Drylock'1 or epoxy paints should be considered to cover large surface
areas and to cover caulked materials previously placed in concrete wall or floor cracks.
04/25/2008
Sealed cracks in basement floor
9.2 Installing SSDS on Concrete Basement Floor
SS depressurization involves the creation of an extraction point(s) in a basement floor connected
to a high-static extraction fan. The extraction fan should be mounted outdoors directly on the
SSDS piping and fastened to a supporting structure by mounting brackets. In Minnesota (a
colder climate), extraction fans can be located indoors such as in attics to prevent freezing. On
average, the extraction fan provides coverage of approximately 2,000 ft2 per slab penetration
This coverage may vary depending on the SS material. In general, the tighter the material, the
smaller the area covered per slab penetration. The extraction fan should operate continuously to
vent the subsurface beneath the basement slab.
The SSDS should be installed by a knowledgeable contractor with experience in installing
similar systems. The contractor should follow methods outlined in ASTM International's
(ASTM) Standard E 2121-03, "Standard Practice for Installing Radon Mitigation Systems in
Existing Low-Rise Residential Buildings." Before the SSDS is installed, the OSC should meet
with the property homeowner and occupants to discuss sampling results, explain what an SSDS
is, and the option for installing the SSDS and to set up a time to meet with the owner and
Section 9
71
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
occupants to determine the location where the SSDS will be most effective and convenient (see
also Section 7.1). All local building codes should to be followed during installation of the SSDS.
If an SSDS is installed to mitigate VI from PH contamination, the equipment must be
intrinsically safe because of potential explosive situations. An example of an explosive
situation is when vapor concentrations exceed 10 percent of the LEL.
Installation should begin with the determination of an SS extraction point location in the
basement. The extraction point location should be agreeable to the homeowner. The extraction
system should be documented to be effective across the entire slab. A portion of the basement
slab should be cored, and a 3-inch-diameter Schedule 40 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe should
be routed from the extraction point through the slab and outside the basement through a wall
penetration. The PVC pipe then should be connected to an extraction fan and the exhaust piping
routed to the roof-line. Care should be taken to exhaust the air above any nearby intake pipes or
building windows.
Any openings around the extraction point penetration, utility penetrations, and other cracks in the
concrete foundation floor should be appropriately sealed. Also, the power supply for the fan
should be locked to prevent accidental system shut-off. The residents should be supplied with a
key to allow the power to be turned off for maintenance purposes. Figure 8 below shows a
typical SSDS layout.
Soflit
—
Figure 8 - Typical SSDS Layout
Section 9
72
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
A permanent vacuum gauge should be installed on each system on the extraction side of the fan.
The gauge should consist of a "U-tube" manometer with a recommended minimum vacuum of 1
inch of water and a recommended maximum vacuum of 2.5 inches of water. An SSDS vacuum
exceeding 4 inches of water may pull "make-up" air (below the house) from the contaminated
plume and VOCs toward the residence. The goal is to achieve vacuum under (across) the entire
slab, with minimal vacuum draw from the extraction fan.
L\
1
L
1 1 _J
il||? tag
o
I '
1
-2- 1
C/> I
*< 1
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
considered on another section of the basement and placed as far as possible from the first
extraction point.
At the Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site, U.S. EPA developed an SOP to install two extraction
points at each property and then to verify the radius of influence. This approach resulted in a
success rate of over 95 percent based on first-round post-mitigation proficiency air sample
results.
9.3 Installing Slotted PVC Pipe over Dirt Floors and Crawl Spaces
Inhalation exposure in structures having dirt floors or dirt crawl spaces can be reduced by
installing line-slotted PVC piping under a 7-millimeter-thick, polyethylene (poly) membrane
over the dirt floor or dirt crawl space. The slotted PVC pipe should be routed to an in-line fan
and then exhausted just as for a normal SSDS. The poly membrane should be sealed on the
walls to ensure a tight seal. This option may be more expensive than a traditional SSDS.
9.4 Installing Other Mitigation Options for Dirt Floors
Basements with a dirt floor have two mitigation options besides installation of the slotted PVC
pipe discussed above. This first is to line the floor with a poly membrane and then install an
SSDS. This option may require future maintenance because if the basement is used for storage,
the membrane could tear, breaching the vapor seal.
The second option is to install a vapor barrier and pour "flowable fill" concrete into the basement
to form a new concrete floor. This option is the most expensive because concrete pouring and
forming are labor intensive. In addition, in basements with dirt floors that contain water heaters
and furnaces, those items should be raised a few inches and the piping reconfigured to account
for the thickness of the new concrete flooring. The OSC or RPM also must coordinate with the
owners or occupants to move all belongings out of the basement. This task may not be easy
depending on the amount of items requiring removal and the willingness of the owners or
occupants to move the items. After the items have been removed and the concrete has been
poured and cured, a regular SSDS can be installed.
Piping in crawl space
Piping beneath membrane
Section 9
74
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
05/12/2008
Basement with dirt floor Basement with new concrete floor and SSDS
9.5 Installing SVE Systems
Another mitigation option is the installation of an area-wide soil vapor extraction (SVE) system.
At the Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site, an SVE system was installed to enhance vapor
abatement within a small residential area where TCE concentrations in SG were very high (up to
160,000 ppbv). SSDSs were installed in residential homes within the small area, but because the
TCE concentrations beneath the properties were so elevated, the SSDSs could not completely
mitigate IA TCE concentrations within the homes. To enhance TCE vapor mitigation, an SVE
system was installed as shown in Figure 9 below. The black dots represent vertical extraction
wells piped to a 300-cubic-foot-per-minute blower. The effluent was routed through carbon
units to remove TCE.
Figure 9 - SVE System Installed at Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site
Section 9
75
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
At a site in Hartford, Illinois, an area-wide
SVE system was installed to cover the entire
Village of Hartford. Because of explosion
concerns associated with petroleum vapors
and the biodegradation by-products of
petroleum materials, area-wide vapor capture
and control was more advantageous than the
use of typical, off-the-shelf, radon-type SSDS
motors because such motors are not
explosion-proof (EP) rated. Area-wide SVE
designs require "intrinsically safe"
construction because petroleum vapors could
generate significant heat, requiring
management as part of the ultimate capture, control, and disposal approach.
Obviously, SVE systems cost more than typical
radon-type SSDSs. In addition, OSCs should
consider how area-wide SVE residential
systems extensively involve the public domain
for construction installations that could involve
public streets, conflict with existing utility
systems, and require future ongoing system
O&M.
9.6 Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to FAQs about VI mitigation are presented below.
9.6.1 What are the Primary Considerations for Selecting a VI Mitigation
Approach?
The first considerations should be if the building already exists or will be a new construction and
the likely level of contaminant reduction required. VI mitigation in a new construction is
generally more cost-effective. For new construction, the strategy is to prevent openings in the
foundation for SG contaminants to enter and to minimize the driving forces for VI by
minimizing the stack effect and the effects of wind on the building. Building codes and several
manuals address these issues. Passive membranes could be considered for new construction,
depending on contaminant reduction requirements.
For existing buildings, applicable mitigation methods are largely dictated by the existing
building features, such as the following:
• Type of building foundation: basement, slab-on-grade, slab-below-grade, or crawl space
• Type of heating and air conditioning system
Section 9
76
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
• Tightness of the building (air exchange rate)
• Age or condition of the basement (stone or poured concrete)
• Level of contamination (is more than 60 percent reduction in IA concentration required?)
• Extent of completed floors and walls in the basement and parts of the basement in contact
with soil
• Nature of soil under and around the building
9.6.2 Which Mitigation Methods Have Been Demonstrated to Work?
A number of mitigation methods have been used to reduce indoor concentrations of SG
contaminants. The most significant body of experience relates to the reduction of indoor radon
values (about 1 million houses have undergone radon mitigation). In the case of chemical VI, a
few thousand residences have undergone mitigation. The extent to which each mitigation
method has been studied and demonstrated varies widely by method. The effectiveness of some
mitigation methods is discussed below.
Active soil depressurization (ASD): This method is the most thoroughly studied and
demonstrated approach to mitigating VI. This approach consists of a group of methods
customized for the different construction features of buildings. The group primarily consists of
SSDSs, drain-tile depressurization, wall depressurization, baseboard depressurization, and sub-
membrane depressurization. The ASD method can achieve contaminant reductions up to 99.9
percent.
Passive soil ventilation (PSV): This method is similar to the ASD method except that it uses
natural driving forces (no active fan) to dilute concentrations through ventilation. This method
can achieve contaminant reductions of up to 80 percent. However, performance depends on
meteorological conditions, and few systems have been tested for long-term performance.
Positive indoor pressurization: This method is most often used in commercial and industrial
buildings where HVAC systems brings in outdoor ventilation air. For energy cost savings,
outdoor ventilation frequently is decreased to levels that do not provide adequate positive
pressure to prevent VI.
Indoor ventilation (with or without heat recovery): Because many people find it
uncomfortable to increase the air exchange rate by more than a factor of three or four, this
method usually can achieve contaminant reductions of about 66 to 75 percent.
Sealing cracks and openings in foundations: This method can achieve indoor contaminant
reductions of 50 to 80 percent. Sealing major openings also usually helps the performance of
other methods.
Passive barriers (impermeable membrane): This method mainly applies to new construction.
This method primarily has been applied to sites with explosive gases, such as methane, where the
safe level is below about 1 percent or so of the LEL.
Section 9
77
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
9.6.3 What is the Difference between a Construction Vapor Barrier and a VI
Barrier?
Construction vapor barriers are not considered robust enough to serve as VI barriers.
Construction vapor barriers only consist of a thin plastic sheet laid down below the concrete slab
(prior to construction) to serve as a barrier to water vapor. Although these barriers may provide
minimal protection, they frequently are ripped during construction and penetrated by utility
conduits (such water, sewer, and electrical mains) that are not properly sealed. A VI barrier is
specifically designed for VI, and all penetrations are sealed. The VI barrier also is much thicker
than a construction vapor barrier. VI sheet barriers typically consist of high-density polyethylene
(HDPE) 40 to 60 mils thick or very low-density polyethylene 30 mils thick. The use of thick (60
to 100 mils) sheet barriers or H-inch layers of spray-on, rubberized asphalt emulsions may
reduce the potential for puncturing or damage during installation (ITRC 2007). The integrity of
seals along edges and at penetrations should be inspected and tested during and after construction
to ensure proper installation.
9.6.4 Which Diagnostic Measurements are Needed to Select and Design a
Mitigation System?
For an existing building, the most important diagnostic is a visual survey to identify any
construction features that likely would influence the selection or design of a mitigation system.
Some visual survey considerations are summarized below.
• Determine if the building has combinations of basements, slabs on grade, and crawl
spaces. Determine if these sections interact and if they require separate mitigation
systems.
• Observe major openings that must be closed for any system to function effectively.
• Determine if sumps must be sealed or require special treatment. Sumps sometimes are an
excellent place to install a sub-slab system.
• Determine if there are wet basement or crawl-space problems that must be addressed.
• Determine if there are perimeter drain tiles that may be useful in the design of the system.
• Soil depressurization systems (ASD and PSV systems) require that soil under and around
the foundation be sufficiently permeable to allow flow or pressure field extension below
the entire slab. Standard diagnostic tests for this purpose are sometimes called "sub-slab
communication tests." A sub-slab communication test involves applying suction under
the slab at a point suitable for the actual installation. With an appropriate negative
pressure applied at this point, the resulting negative pressure is measured at a grid of test
points spanning the slab. If a sufficient pressure field can be extended under the slab, a
depressurization system should be effective in reducing VI. Sensitive micromanometers
are appropriate devices for measuring the pressure field extension.
• For a positive indoor pressurization system, the tightness of the building, especially the
basement or ground floor is important. If too much air flow is required to accomplish the
required pressurization, the operating costs likely will be too high. In general, a positive
pressure of about 5 Pascals is desirable to effectively mitigate VI.
Section 9
78
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
9.6.5 Which Tests are Appropriate to Ensure Proper Installation?
Once a mitigation system has been installed, a series of simple tests should be performed to
establish that the system is working as designed. For example, it is notoriously difficult to
balance flows properly for air-to-air heat exchange ventilation systems. These systems usually
turn out to be not cost-effective.
For soil depressurization systems, it is important to repeat some parts of the sub-slab
communication test to establish that the fan actually delivers the designed pressure field
extension under the slab. Also, the pressure head established in the exhaust pipe should be
checked to ensure that it achieves the design value.
For pressurization systems, the positive pressure in the lowest zones of the building should be
monitored over an extended period (at least several days) to establish that the system can
maintain adequate pressure over time. It also is important to evaluate the increase in energy
consumption necessary to maintain adequate pressure.
These simple tests are intended to establish that the system is operating as designed. However,
implementing the procedures does not ensure that a system is performing as designed. Because
of uncertainties related to many properties of soil, buildings, and environmental driving factors,
IA concentrations cannot be predicted based on these simple measurements. The preferred way
to prove the system is performing adequately is to measure IA concentrations for the COCs with
and without the system operating.
In many cases, cost-effective tests of preliminary performance can be made using a surrogate
system with lower analytical costs, such as a radon mitigation system. A surrogate reduction
factor can be established by measuring the surrogate IA concentration with and without the
system operating. Once it has been established that the system can reduce the IA concentration
of radon or another surrogate by an adequate factor, this factor can be used to estimate the
reduction in COC concentrations and should allow a reduced number of measurements of COC
concentrations if future measurements are required.
Alternately, measurements of sufficient pressure differentials (for example, 5 Pascals) at a
variety of grid locations across the slab can be a strong indication that VI is being minimized.
Measurement of adequate pressure differentials in the system's exit pipe (for example, 1.0 inch
of water or 250 Pascals) can indicate that the system is operating as intended, but these
measurements do not measure system performance.
9.6.6 Which ICs Should be Considered to Ensure Long-term Protectiveness of
the VI Remedy?
ICs such as non-engineered instruments (administrative or legal controls) may be necessary to
ensure the long-term protectiveness of the selected remedy and its compliance. The remedy
should be operated and maintained as intended when the remedy was selected.
Depending on the specific situation, ICs that may be helpful include, but are not limited to,
government controls, such as zoning laws, public health and safety ordinances, and building
permits and codes; proprietary controls, such as covenants; enforcement controls within UAOs
and CDs; and informational devices, such as deed notices or public advisories. In some cases,
state or local laws or regulations establishing or requiring certain ICs may be considered
ARARs.
Section 9
79
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
When the person or entity involved with the day-to-day O&M of a VI remedy is not a liable
party, ICs may be even more necessary but also may be more difficult to implement. For a non-
NPL site addressed by the Removal Program, the OSC should work with state or local agencies
to incorporate ICs and ensure long-term protectiveness of the remedy.
Program staff and attorneys should consider ICs and the steps required to implement these ICs
early in the remedy selection process to ensure that the chosen remedy is effective and
protective.
The installation of an SSDS is NOT the preferred long-term remedy to solve the VI
problem. The installation of an SSDS is a "temporary fix" to the problem. An SSDS reduces
the chemical exposure of building occupants. The solution for solving the VI problem is to
remediate groundwater contamination. Groundwater remediation could require many years and
outlast the life expectancy of an SSDS. Therefore, yearly SSDS inspections should be
conducted to ensure that the system is operating property. Section 10 provides more
information on annual inspections.
Section 9
80
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Section 10. Post-Mitigation Issues
This section discusses post-mitigation issues, including post-installation proficiency air
sampling, proficiency sample failures requiring mitigation upgrades, the O&M manual, the
Quick Guide summary, and annual inspections.
10.1 Post-Installation Proficiency Air Sampling
Post-installation IA proficiency air sampling should be conducted to ensure proper operation of
the system. Such sampling may be requested by local or state health departments to prove that
residential mitigation systems are achieving site-specific screening levels. Proficiency air
sampling should be scheduled with the owner or occupant. Attachment S is an SSDS proficiency
sample reminder form that can be mailed to owner or occupant of the property to be sampled as a
reminder that the sampling team will be arriving to collect samples. An example of the sampling
frequency and proficiency air sample result letters are discussed below.
10.1.1 Sampling Frequency- Removal Actions (Example)
• The first IA sample should be collected 30 days after system installation.
• The second IA sample to be collected 180 days after system installation.
• The third IA sample can be collected 1 year after system installation.
• Annual IA sampling and/or SSDS inspections (described in Section 10.5) can be
performed after the first year.
Note: Fund-lead removal actions may have a 1-year time restriction for completing removal
activities.
10.1.2 Proficiency Air Sample Result Letters
When sample results are received from the laboratory, a letter should be mailed or given to the
property owner and tenants (if applicable) summarizing the sample results. Attachment T
provides an example of a proficiency sample result letter. The example letter explains that the
sampling results indicate that IA COC concentrations are less than COC screening levels.
If the IA proficiency sample COC concentrations are greater than the COC screening levels,
additional mitigation upgrades are necessary to ensure that COC concentrations are less than
COC screening levels (see Section 10.2 below).
10.2 Proficiency Sample Failures Requiring Mitigation Upgrades
If IA proficiency sampling results show a COC concentration exceeding the COC's IA screening
level, the mitigation upgrades summarized below can be performed.
• Sealing cracks in the floor with a concrete floor sealer: Vapors may be entering cracks
or holes in the concrete floor if they have not been sealed.
• Indoor air sources: Ensure that there are no sources (paint cans, dry cleaning, gas cans,
lawn mowers, chemicals) inside the property that may affect the integrity of the
proficiency IA samples.
Section 10
81
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
• Adding an additional extraction point: Sometimes addition of another extraction point
can solve the problem. In some cases, three or four additional extraction points were
required in a basement. Additional extraction points may be required because of
unknown concrete footers (blocking airflow) under a residence, the soil type beneath the
residence, and other factors.
• Adding an additional fan and extraction point: In some cases, a second fan was
required because of the large size of the structure's footprint. One fan may or may not be
strong enough to create the radius of influence needed to solve the VI problem.
• Increasing the current fan size: Sometimes increasing the size of the fan solves the VI
problem. A larger fan pulls more air through the extraction points.
Note: A larger fan may pull additional vapors toward the residence. An engineer should
be consulted before the fan size is increased.
Mitigation upgrades should be completed within 30 days of observance of an exceedance of a
COC IA screening level. Once mitigation upgrades are completed, proficiency sampling should
be completed 30 days later.
10.3 O&M Manual
An O&M manual should be supplied to each property owner where an SSDS was installed. The
O&M manual should include, but not be limited to, the following information or items:
• Cover letter
• Pictures of the SSDS
• Copy of signed access agreement
• Copy of vapor abatement system O&M agreement
• Copy of baseline sample result letter
• Copy of proficiency sample result letter
• Warranty information for the SSDS fan
• Contact information in case of future questions
In addition, the property owner or occupant should receive keys to the deadbolt that locks the
SSDS switch in the "on" position.
Attachment U contains an example of the O&M manual that U.S. EPA supplied to the property
owners at the Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site.
After the O&M manual has been given to the property owner, the owner should sign a record
that is kept on file to document that the owner received the O&M manual. Attachment V
provides a copy of the O&M Manual Acceptance Form.
Section 10
82
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5 Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Deadbolt that locks the SSDS switch in the "on" position
10.4 Quick Guide Summary
A Quick Guide is a two- to three-page summary of why a vapor abatement system was installed
at a property. This guide can be placed into a clear protective sleeve and zip-tied to the main
extraction pipe of the system. The Quick Guide is especially helpful at rental properties because
tenants may move in and out of the property. The Quick Guide is easy to read and informs each
new tenant about what the system is and why it was installed. Attachment W provides an
example of a Quick Guide.
10.5 Annual Inspections
For projects that extend beyond 1 year, annual inspections of installed vapor abatement
mitigation systems should be conducted to ensure that the system is operating properly. In some
cases, the local health department can conduct the annual inspections. The inspections should
cover the following:
• System vacuum or pressure readings (header and SS probe)
• Confirmation that the extraction fan is operating
• Confirmation that a padlock is attached to the system on/off switch
• Visual inspection of system piping and components
• Inspection of basement floor and wall seals
• Confirmation of system operation with residents
• Confirmation that a copy of the O&M manual is present in the residence and has been
updated as necessary
• Depending on the site, collection of annual IA samples to ensure that the system is
working
Attachment X provides an example of a Mitigation System Annual Inspection Form.
Section 10
83
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
If an inspection reveals deficiencies (such as an inoperable fan, power switch in the "off
position, or damaged PVC piping), the deficiencies should be corrected as soon as possible.
Depending on the type of correction, a post-correction IA sample may be necessary to ensure
that the system is operating effectively. If an IA sample is necessary, the sample should be
collected approximately 30 days after the correction has been completed.
At the Behr Dayton VOC Removal Site, U.S. EPA required annual inspections of the mitigation
systems installed under the removal action. While the remedial investigation was underway, the
following mitigation system items were inspected:
• Radius-of-influence testing to ensure a proper vacuum to the footprint of the structure
• Inspection of the extraction fan to ensure that it was in the "on" position
• Inspection of the PVC piping (inside and outside of the structure) to ensure that the
piping had not been damaged
• Inspection of the discharge pipe to ensure that it had not been blocked by debris
• Inspection of the U-tube manometer to ensure that it reads at least 1 inch of water
• Inspection of the O&M manual to ensure that is was present at the property and updated
with most recent sampling results
Section 10
84
October 2010
-------
U.S. EPA Region 5
Vapor Intrusion Guidebook
Section 11. References
Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC). 2007. "Vapor Intrusion Pathway: A
Practical Guideline." On-line Address: http://www.itrcweb.org/Documents/VI-1.pdf
RTI International (RTI). 2008. Indoor Air Vapor Intrusion Database. "Preliminary Evaluation
of Attenuation Factors." Under "Other Documents." March 4. On-line Address:
http://iavi.rti.org/login.cfm (obtain a login identification and password in order to gain
access to the database and input data).
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2002. "OSWER Draft Guidance for
Evaluating the Vapor Intrusion to Indoor Air Pathway from Groundwater and Soils."
EPA 530-D-02-004. November. On-line Address:
http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/correctiveaction/eis/vapor.htm
EPA. 2008. "Brownfields Technology Primer: Vapor Intrusion Considerations for Brownfields
Redevelopment." EPA 542-R-08-00. March 1.
EPA. 2009. "U.S. EPA Region 3 Vapor Intrusion Framework." June.
Section 11
85
October 2010
-------
ATTACHMENT A
ACCESS AGREEMENT
-------
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
Name (please print):
Address of property
to be sampled
Home Phone #
Cell Phone #
I consent to officers, employees, contractors, and authorized representatives of the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) entering and having continued access to this property for the following purpose:
• Conducting air monitoring and air sampling activities;
I realize that these actions taken by U.S. EPA are undertaken pursuant to its response and enforcement
responsibilities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq.
This written permission is given by me voluntarily, on behalf of myself and all other co-owners of this property,
with knowledge of my right to refuse and without threats or promises of any kind.
Date Signature
Sample Location Questions:
1. Are you the Owner or the Tenant of the home or building? If you are the owner, go to #3.
2. If you are the Tenant, please write in the owner's name: Go to #3 and
write in owner's address and phone number.
3. If you are the owner but live at a different address, write your address below (this is the address where
the sample results will be mailed to, otherwise, the results will be mailed to the address at the top of the
page):
Owner's Address:
Home Phone #
Cell Phone #
4. Does the home or building have a basement? Yes No (If no, you are done)
5. If yes, does the basement have a concrete slab? Yes No
6. If no, does the basement have a dirt floor? Yes No Partial
I DO NOT authorize access by U.S. EPA at the above-referenced property.
Print Name
Signature
Date
-------
ATTACHMENT B
SAMPLING REQUEST PACKET
-------
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
I 1 CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
January 4, 2008
Dear Resident:
As part of an ongoing pollution investigation in your neighborhood, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is conducting air sampling in residential
structures in the McCook Field Neighborhood, located in Dayton, Ohio. If your home
has already been sampled or is scheduled to be sampled, please disregard this letter. EPA
and its contractor, Weston Solutions Inc., have collected air samples at several locations
in the area to date and with your permission, are prepared to collect air samples in your
residence. EPA would like permission to test the air at this location.
As part of the pollution investigation, the EPA requires a signed access agreement to
enter the residence and collect samples. Completion of the access form is needed for
either consent or denial. This air sampling will be completed at no cost to you.
The EPA and Ohio Department of Health are investigating whether dangerous vapors
from contaminated groundwater are seeping into residential homes and contaminating
indoor air. The EPA conducted a public meeting on November 3rd to explain the nature
of this investigation and is offering free sampling until January 31, 2008.
Please contact Weston Solutions at (937) 262-7919 to arrange for a time for your home to
be sampled and please fill out the attached access agreement form. If you do not wish to
participate in the free sampling event, please sign the bottom of the access agreement
form and mark the box "denying access", and drop off or mail to U.S. EPA Command
Post, 919 North Keowee Street, Dayton, Ohio 45404.
As a reminder, please contact Weston Solutions to schedule your sampling before the
January 31, 2008 deadline and to mail in the enclosed access agreement to accept or deny
EPA's offer of free sampling in your residence.
Thank you for reviewing this information.
Sincerely,
Steven L. Renninger
On-Scene Coordinator
EPA Region 5
-------
Bureau of
Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
To protect and improve the health of all Ohioans"
Vapor Intrusion
Answers to Frequently Asked Health Questions
Basement
Crawl s
Chemical LeakP
water flow
Soil
Groundwater
What is vapor intrusion?
Vapor intrusion refers to the vapors produced by a chemical
spill/leak that make their way into indoor air. When
chemicals are spilled on the ground or leak from an
underground storage tank, they will seep into the soils and
will sometimes make their way into the groundwater
(underground drinking water). There are a group of
chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that
easily produce vapors. These vapors can travel through
soils, especially if the soils are sandy and loose or have a lot
of cracks (fissures). These vapors can then enter a home
through cracks in the foundation or into a basement with a
dirt floor or concrete slab.
VOCs and vapors:
VOCs can be found in petroleum products such as gasoline
or diesel fuels, in solvents used for industrial cleaning and
are also used in dry cleaning. If there is a large spill or leak
resulting in soil or groundwater contamination, vapor
intrusion may be possible and should be considered a
potential public health concern that may require further
investigation.
Although large spills or leaks are a public health concern,
other sources of VOCs are found in everyday household
products and are a more common source of poor indoor air
quality. Common products such as paint, paint strippers and
thinners, hobby supplies (glues), solvents, stored fuels
(gasoline or home heating fuel), aerosol sprays, new
carpeting or furniture, cigarette smoke, moth balls, air
fresheners and dry-cleaned clothing all contain VOCs.
b
If
Can you get sick from vapor
intrusion?
You can get sick from breathing harmful chemical
vapors. But getting sick will depend on:
How much you were exposed to (dose).
How long you were exposed (duration).
How often you were exposed (frequency).
How toxic the spill/leak chemicals are.
General Health, age, lifestyle: Young children, the
elderly and people with chronic (on-going) health
problems are more at risk to chemical exposures.
VOC vapors at high levels can cause a strong
petroleum or solvent odor and some persons may
experience eye and respiratory irritation, headache
and/or nausea (upset stomach). These symptoms
are usually temporary and go away when the person
is moved to fresh air.
Lower levels of vapors may go unnoticed and a
person may feel no health effects. A few individual
VOCs are known carcinogens (cause cancer).
Health officials are concerned with low-level
chemical exposures that happen over many years
and may raise a person's lifetime risk for developing
cancer.
How is vapor intrusion
investigated?
In most cases, collecting soil gas or groundwater
samples near the spill site is done first to see if
there is on-site contamination. If soil vapors or
groundwater contamination are detected at a spill
site, environmental protection and public health
officials may then ask that soil vapor samples be
taken from areas outside the immediate spill site and
near any potential affected business or home. The
Ohio Department of Health (ODH) does not usually
recommend indoor air sampling for vapor intrusion
before the on-site contamination is determined.
(continued on next page)
-------
What can you do to improve
your indoor air quality?
As stated before, the most likely source of VOCs in
indoor air comes from the common items that are
found in most homes. The following helpful hints will
help improve air quality inside your home:
~ Do not buy more chemicals than you need
and know what products contain VOCs.
~ If you have a garage or an out building such
as a shed, place the properly stored VOC-
containing chemicals outside and away from
your family living areas.
~ Immediately clean and ventilate any VOC
spill area.
~ If you smoke, go outside and/or open the
windows to ventilate the second-hand, VOC-
containing smoke outdoors.
~ Make sure all your major appliances and
fireplace(s) are in good condition and not
leaking harmful VOC vapors. Fix all
appliance and fireplace leaks promptly, as
well as other leaks that cause moisture
problems that encourage mold growth.
~ Most VOCs are a fire hazard. Make sure
these chemicals are stored in appropriate
containers and in a well-ventilated location
and away from an open pilot light (flame) of
a gas water heater or furnace.
~ Fresh air will help prevent both build up of
chemical vapors in the air and mold growth.
Occasionally open the windows and doors
and ventilate.
~ Test your home for radon and install a radon
detector.
References:
Wisconsin Department of Health and
Family Services, Environmental
Health Resources, Vapor Intrusion,
electronic, 2004.
New York State Department of
Health, Center for Environmental
Health, April 2003.
Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental
Health, Indoor Environment Program, 2004.
For more information contact:
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
246 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-1390
Fax: (614) 466-4556
How is vapor intrusion
investigated? (continued)
Because a variety of VOC sources are present in most
homes, testing will not necessarily confirm VOCs in the
indoor air are from VOC contamination in soils at nearby spill
site. But if additional sampling is recommended, samples
may be taken from beneath the home's foundation (called
sub-slab samples), to see if vapors have reached the home.
Sub-slab samples are more reliable than indoor air samples
and are not as affected by other indoor chemical sources. If
there was a need for additional sampling on a private
property, homeowners would be contacted by the cleanup
contractor or others working on the cleanup site and their
cooperation and consent would be requested before any
testing/sampling would be done.
What happens if a vapor intrusion
problem is found?
If vapor intrusion is having an effect on the air in your home,
the most common solution is to install a radon mitigation
system. A radon mitigation system will prevent gases in the
soil from entering the home. A low amount of suction is
applied below the foundation and the vapors are vented to
the outside. The system uses minimal electricity and should
not noticeably affect heating and cooling efficiency. This
mitigation system also prevents radon from entering the
home, an added health benefit. Usually, the party
responsible for cleaning up the contamination is also
responsible for paying for the installation of this system.
Once the contamination is cleaned up, the system should no
longer be needed. In homes with on going radon problems,
ODH suggests these systems remain in place permanently.
Radon Mitigation System
y.
Fan
Contamination
/ t ^
Created September 2004
-------
Bureau of
Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
To protect and improve the health of all Ohioans
Trichloroethylene (TCE)
(try- klor'oh eth'uh- leen)
Answers to Frequently Asked Health Questions
What is TCE?
TCE is man-made chemical that is not found naturally in
the environment. TCE is a non-flammable (does not burn),
colorless liquid with a somewhat sweet odor and has a
sweet, "burning" taste. It is mainly used as a cleaner to
remove grease from metal parts. TCE can also be found
in glues, paint removers, typewriter correction fluids and
spot removers.
The biggest source of TCE in the environment comes from
evaporation (changing from a liquid into a vapor/gas) when
industries use TCE to remove grease from metals. But
TCE also enters the air when we use common household
products that contain TCE. It can also enter the soil and
water as the result of spills or improper disposal.
What happens to TCE in the
environment?
^ TCE will quickly evaporate from the surface waters
of rivers, lakes, streams, creeks and puddles.
^ If TCE is spilled on the ground, some of it will
evaporate and some of it may leak down into the
ground. When it rains, TCE can sink through the
soils and into the ground (underground drinking)
water.
^ When TCE is in an oxygen-poor environment and
with time, it will break down into different chemicals
such as 1,2 Dichloroethene and Vinyl Chloride.
^ TCE does not build up in plants and animals.
^ The TCE found in foods is believed to come from
TCE contaminated water used in food processing
or from food processing equipment cleaned with
TCE.
How does TCE get into your body?
^ TCE can get into your body by breathing
(inhalation) air that is polluted with TCE vapors.
The vapors can be produced from the
manufacturing of TCE, from TCE polluted water
evaporating in the shower or by using household
products such as spot removers and typewriter
correction fluid.
^ TCE can get into your body by drinking (ingestion)
TCE polluted water.
^ Small amounts of TCE can get into your body
through skin (dermal) contact. This can take place
when using TCE as a cleaner to remove grease
from metal parts or by contact with TCE polluted
soils.
Can TCE make you sick?
Yes, you can get sick from TCE. But getting sick will depend
on the following:
> How much you were exposed to (dose).
> How long you were exposed (duration).
> How often you were exposed (frequency).
> General Health. Age, Lifestyle Young children, the
elderly and people with chronic (on-going) health
problems are more at risk to chemical exposures.
How does TCE affect your health?
Breathing (Inhalation):
^ Breathing high levels of TCE may cause
headaches, lung irritation, dizziness, poor
coordination (clumsy) and difficulty concentrating.
^ Breathing very high levels of TCE for long periods
may cause nerve, kidney and liver damage.
Drinking (Ingestion):
^ Drinking high concentrations of TCE in the water
for long periods may cause liver and kidney
damage, harm immune system functions and
damage fetal development in pregnant women
(although the extent of some of these effects is not
yet clear).
^ It is uncertain whether drinking low levels of TCE
will lead to adverse health effects.
Skin (Dermal) Contact:
^ Short periods of skin contact with high levels of
TCE may cause skin rashes.
0°r
m
-------
Does TCE cause cancer?
The National Toxicology Program's 11th Report on
Carcinogens places chemicals into one of two cancer-
causing categories: Known to be Human Carcinogens
and Reasonably Anticipated to be Human Carcinogens.
The11th Report on Carcinogens states TCE is "Reasonably
Anticipated to be Human Carcinogen."
The category "Reasonably Anticipated to be Human
Carcinogen" gathers evidence mainly from animal studies.
There may be limited human studies or there may be no
human or animal study evidence to support carcinogenicity;
but the agent, substance or mixture belongs to a well-
defined class of substances that are known to be
carcinogenic.
There are human studies of communities that were
exposed to high levels of TCE in drinking water and they
have found evidence of increased leukemia's. But the
residents of these communities were also exposed to other
solvents and may have had other risk factors associated
with this type of cancer.
Animal lab studies in mice and rats have suggested that
high levels of TCE may cause liver, lung, kidney and blood
(lymphoma) cancers.
As part of the National Exposure Subregistry, the Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
compiled data on 4,280 residents of three states (Michigan,
Illinois, and Indiana) who had environmental exposure to
TCE. ATSDR found no definitive evidence for an excess of
cancers from these TCE exposures.
The U.S. EPA is currently reviewing the carcinogenicity of
TCE.
Is there a medical test to show
whether you have been exposed
to TCE?
If you have recently been exposed to TCE, it can be
detected in your breath, blood, or urine. The breath test, if
done soon after exposure, can tell if you have been
exposed to even a small amount of TCE.
Exposure to larger amounts is measured in blood and urine
tests. These tests detect TCE and many of its breakdown
products for up to a week after exposure. However,
exposure to other similar chemicals can produce the same
breakdown products in the blood and urine so the detection
of the breakdown products is not absolute proof of
exposure to TCE.
These tests aren't available at most doctors' offices, but
can be done at special laboratories that have the right
equipment. Note: Tests can determine if you have been
exposed to TCE but cannot predict if you will experience
adverse health effects from the exposure.
Has the federal government made
recommendations to protect
human health?
The federal government develops regulations and
recommendations to protect public health and these
regulations can be enforced by law.
Recommendations and regulations are periodically updated
as more information becomes available. Some regulations
and recommendations for TCE follow:
^ The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
set a maximum contaminant level for TCE in
drinking water at 0.005 milligrams per liter (0.005
mg/L) or 5 parts of TCE per billion parts water (5
ppb).
^ The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) have set an exposure limit of 100 ppm (or
100 parts of TCE per million parts of air) for an 8-
hour workday, 40-hour workweek.
^ The EPA has developed regulations for the
handling and disposal of TCE.
References
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR). 1997. Toxicological profile for TCE (electronic at
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts19.html)
Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition; U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service,
National Toxicology Program, 2005 (2005 electronic at
http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/toc11 .html)
The Ohio Department of Health is in
cooperative agreement with the Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR), Public Health Service, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.
This pamphlet was created by the Ohio
Department of Health, Bureau of
Environmental Health, Health Assessment
Section and supported in whole by funds
from the Cooperative Agreement Program
grant from the ATSDR.
Atsdr
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES
AND OlSEASt REGISTRY
Updated 10/12/06
-------
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
Name (please print):
Address of property
to be sampled
Home Phone #
Cell Phone #
I consent to officers, employees, contractors, and authorized representatives of the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) entering and having continued access to this property for the following purpose:
• Conducting air monitoring and air sampling activities;
I realize that these actions taken by U.S. EPA are undertaken pursuant to its response and enforcement
responsibilities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq.
This written permission is given by me voluntarily, on behalf of myself and all other co-owners of this property,
with knowledge of my right to refuse and without threats or promises of any kind.
Date Signature
Sample Location Questions:
1. Are you the Owner or the Tenant of the home or building? If you are the Tenant, please
write in the owner's name, address and phone number:
2. If you are the owner but live at a different address, write your address below (this is the address where
the sample results will be mailed to, otherwise, the results will be mailed to the address at the top of the
page):
Owner's Address:
Home Phone #
Cell Phone #
3. Does the home or building have a basement? Yes No
4. If yes, does the basement have a concrete slab? Yes No
5. If no, does the basement have a dirt floor? Yes No
6. Is there a heating or ventilation system in the basement? Yes No
I do not authorize access by U.S. EPA at the above-referenced property.
Signature
Date
Print Name
-------
U.S. EPA FREE INDOOR AIR
SAMPLING
CONTACT INFORMATION
TO SCHEDULE A SAMPLE
APPOINTMENT, CALL
937-262-7919
OR
STOP BY THE
U.S. EPA COMMAND POST
LOCATED AT:
919 NORTH KEOWEE STREET
DAYTON, OHIO 45404
OFFICE HOURS M-F 9AM - 5PM
-------
ATTACHMENT C
SAMPLE REQUEST LETTER
-------
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
UJ
I
July 27, 2009
Dear Property Owner* or Resident:
As part of an environmental investigation being conducted in the area of Cincinnati's
West End neighborhood, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) needs to test
the air in some of the area homes, including your residence.
The EPA, Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Ohio EPA, Cincinnati Health Department
and the City of Cincinnati Office of Environmental Quality are investigating whether
vapors from a contaminated groundwater plume are entering into homes and
contaminating the indoor air. Please note that your drinking water is not contaminated.
The drinking water for the West End neighborhood is treated by the City of Cincinnati
and is safe to drink.
As part of the investigation, the EPA requires a signed access agreement (written
permission) to enter your property and collect samples. EPA and its contractor. Weston
Solutions, are prepared to collect air samples at your property and need your
permission before we can test your indoor air. If the house is a rental property, the
access agreement must be signed by both the property owner and the tenant(s).
Completion of the access form is needed for either consent (which allows us to test your
home) or denial. This air sampling will be completed at no cost to you.
If you are interested in having free air samples collected at your property, please fill out
and mail the attached access agreement form by August 7, 2009. If you do not wish to
participate in the free sampling event, please sign the bottom of the access agreement
form and mark the box "denying access", and mail using the EPA postage-paid
As a reminder, please mail in the enclosed access agreement form to accept or deny
EPA's offer of free sampling at your property by the August 7, 2009 deadline. If you
have any questions, please contact Weston Solutions, at (513) 703-3092.
Steven L. Renninger
On-Scene Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 5 - Emergency Response Branch
Enclosures:
1) Access Agreement
2) Postage-Paid envelope
envelope.
Sincerely,
Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov
-------
ATTACHMENT D
RESIDENTIAL SAMPLE REMINDER FORM
-------
Residential Sample Reminder Form
SAMPLE TIME:
PICK-UPTIME:
Date:
Date:
Time:
Time:
Location:
U. S. EPA Sampling Notes and Reminders:
1) U.S. EPA will collect at least one sub-slab and one indoor air sample from your property. The
duration of the test is approximately 24 hours.
2) The samples will be collected in stainless steel SUMMA canisters. The canister is made of
clean stainless steel and does not contain any moving parts or chemicals. Please do not
handle or move the canister during the testing.
3) If your basement has a concrete floor or if you have a slab foundation, U.S. EPA will install one
sample probe in the house foundation and collect an air sample. The location of the sample
probe will be placed in a location that is not that noticeable. This sample is called a sub-slab
sample and will test the soil gas beneath your home.
4) If you have a basement with a dirt floor, no sub-slab sample will be collected. Only an indoor
air sample will be collected from the basement area.
5) The indoor air sample will be collected in the basement of the house. If there is no basement,
the indoor air sample will be collected in the living area of the home.
6) Please do not smoke around the canister and to the extent possible, please leave doors and
windows closed during testing.
7) During sampling, do not enter the room where there air samples are being collected. Activity
in the room has the potential to alter the air sample results.
8) If possible, do not bring dry cleaning home during the testing.
9) If you have any aggressive pets, please lock them up or place them into a separate room prior
to the sample team arriving at your property
10) Analytical results will be submitted to the owner (and tenant(s), if applicable) approximately 4-
6 weeks after sampling is completed
11) U.S. EPA will offer to meet with each owner (and tenant(s), if applicable) to discuss the air
sample results.
12) As a courtesy, please be on time for your appointment.
13) If you have to reschedule your appointment, please contact U.S. EPA's technical contractor as
soon as possible at .
-------
ATTACHMENT E
EXAMPLE FACT SHEETS
-------
Bureau of
Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
To protect and improve the health of all Ohioans"
Vapor Intrusion
Answers to Frequently Asked Health Questions
Basement
Crawl s
Chemical LeakP
water flow
Soil
Groundwater
What is vapor intrusion?
Vapor intrusion refers to the vapors produced by a chemical
spill/leak that make their way into indoor air. When
chemicals are spilled on the ground or leak from an
underground storage tank, they will seep into the soils and
will sometimes make their way into the groundwater
(underground drinking water). There are a group of
chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that
easily produce vapors. These vapors can travel through
soils, especially if the soils are sandy and loose or have a lot
of cracks (fissures). These vapors can then enter a home
through cracks in the foundation or into a basement with a
dirt floor or concrete slab.
VOCs and vapors:
VOCs can be found in petroleum products such as gasoline
or diesel fuels, in solvents used for industrial cleaning and
are also used in dry cleaning. If there is a large spill or leak
resulting in soil or groundwater contamination, vapor
intrusion may be possible and should be considered a
potential public health concern that may require further
investigation.
Although large spills or leaks are a public health concern,
other sources of VOCs are found in everyday household
products and are a more common source of poor indoor air
quality. Common products such as paint, paint strippers and
thinners, hobby supplies (glues), solvents, stored fuels
(gasoline or home heating fuel), aerosol sprays, new
carpeting or furniture, cigarette smoke, moth balls, air
fresheners and dry-cleaned clothing all contain VOCs.
b
If
Can you get sick from vapor
intrusion?
You can get sick from breathing harmful chemical
vapors. But getting sick will depend on:
How much you were exposed to (dose).
How long you were exposed (duration).
How often you were exposed (frequency).
How toxic the spill/leak chemicals are.
General Health, age, lifestyle: Young children, the
elderly and people with chronic (on-going) health
problems are more at risk to chemical exposures.
VOC vapors at high levels can cause a strong
petroleum or solvent odor and some persons may
experience eye and respiratory irritation, headache
and/or nausea (upset stomach). These symptoms
are usually temporary and go away when the person
is moved to fresh air.
Lower levels of vapors may go unnoticed and a
person may feel no health effects. A few individual
VOCs are known carcinogens (cause cancer).
Health officials are concerned with low-level
chemical exposures that happen over many years
and may raise a person's lifetime risk for developing
cancer.
How is vapor intrusion
investigated?
In most cases, collecting soil gas or groundwater
samples near the spill site is done first to see if
there is on-site contamination. If soil vapors or
groundwater contamination are detected at a spill
site, environmental protection and public health
officials may then ask that soil vapor samples be
taken from areas outside the immediate spill site and
near any potential affected business or home. The
Ohio Department of Health (ODH) does not usually
recommend indoor air sampling for vapor intrusion
before the on-site contamination is determined.
(continued on next page)
-------
What can you do to improve
your indoor air quality?
As stated before, the most likely source of VOCs in
indoor air comes from the common items that are
found in most homes. The following helpful hints will
help improve air quality inside your home:
~ Do not buy more chemicals than you need
and know what products contain VOCs.
~ If you have a garage or an out building such
as a shed, place the properly stored VOC-
containing chemicals outside and away from
your family living areas.
~ Immediately clean and ventilate any VOC
spill area.
~ If you smoke, go outside and/or open the
windows to ventilate the second-hand, VOC-
containing smoke outdoors.
~ Make sure all your major appliances and
fireplace(s) are in good condition and not
leaking harmful VOC vapors. Fix all
appliance and fireplace leaks promptly, as
well as other leaks that cause moisture
problems that encourage mold growth.
~ Most VOCs are a fire hazard. Make sure
these chemicals are stored in appropriate
containers and in a well-ventilated location
and away from an open pilot light (flame) of
a gas water heater or furnace.
~ Fresh air will help prevent both build up of
chemical vapors in the air and mold growth.
Occasionally open the windows and doors
and ventilate.
~ Test your home for radon and install a radon
detector.
References:
Wisconsin Department of Health and
Family Services, Environmental
Health Resources, Vapor Intrusion,
electronic, 2004.
New York State Department of
Health, Center for Environmental
Health, April 2003.
Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental
Health, Indoor Environment Program, 2004.
For more information contact:
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
246 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-1390
Fax: (614) 466-4556
How is vapor intrusion
investigated? (continued)
Because a variety of VOC sources are present in most
homes, testing will not necessarily confirm VOCs in the
indoor air are from VOC contamination in soils at nearby spill
site. But if additional sampling is recommended, samples
may be taken from beneath the home's foundation (called
sub-slab samples), to see if vapors have reached the home.
Sub-slab samples are more reliable than indoor air samples
and are not as affected by other indoor chemical sources. If
there was a need for additional sampling on a private
property, homeowners would be contacted by the cleanup
contractor or others working on the cleanup site and their
cooperation and consent would be requested before any
testing/sampling would be done.
What happens if a vapor intrusion
problem is found?
If vapor intrusion is having an effect on the air in your home,
the most common solution is to install a radon mitigation
system. A radon mitigation system will prevent gases in the
soil from entering the home. A low amount of suction is
applied below the foundation and the vapors are vented to
the outside. The system uses minimal electricity and should
not noticeably affect heating and cooling efficiency. This
mitigation system also prevents radon from entering the
home, an added health benefit. Usually, the party
responsible for cleaning up the contamination is also
responsible for paying for the installation of this system.
Once the contamination is cleaned up, the system should no
longer be needed. In homes with on going radon problems,
ODH suggests these systems remain in place permanently.
Radon Mitigation System
y.
Fan
Contamination
/ t ^
Created September 2004
-------
Bureau of
Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
To protect and improve the health of all Ohioans
Trichloroethylene (TCE)
(try- klor'oh eth'uh- leen)
Answers to Frequently Asked Health Questions
What is TCE?
TCE is man-made chemical that is not found naturally in
the environment. TCE is a non-flammable (does not burn),
colorless liquid with a somewhat sweet odor and has a
sweet, "burning" taste. It is mainly used as a cleaner to
remove grease from metal parts. TCE can also be found
in glues, paint removers, typewriter correction fluids and
spot removers.
The biggest source of TCE in the environment comes from
evaporation (changing from a liquid into a vapor/gas) when
industries use TCE to remove grease from metals. But
TCE also enters the air when we use common household
products that contain TCE. It can also enter the soil and
water as the result of spills or improper disposal.
What happens to TCE in the
environment?
^ TCE will quickly evaporate from the surface waters
of rivers, lakes, streams, creeks and puddles.
^ If TCE is spilled on the ground, some of it will
evaporate and some of it may leak down into the
ground. When it rains, TCE can sink through the
soils and into the ground (underground drinking)
water.
^ When TCE is in an oxygen-poor environment and
with time, it will break down into different chemicals
such as 1,2 Dichloroethene and Vinyl Chloride.
^ TCE does not build up in plants and animals.
^ The TCE found in foods is believed to come from
TCE contaminated water used in food processing
or from food processing equipment cleaned with
TCE.
How does TCE get into your body?
^ TCE can get into your body by breathing
(inhalation) air that is polluted with TCE vapors.
The vapors can be produced from the
manufacturing of TCE, from TCE polluted water
evaporating in the shower or by using household
products such as spot removers and typewriter
correction fluid.
^ TCE can get into your body by drinking (ingestion)
TCE polluted water.
^ Small amounts of TCE can get into your body
through skin (dermal) contact. This can take place
when using TCE as a cleaner to remove grease
from metal parts or by contact with TCE polluted
soils.
Can TCE make you sick?
Yes, you can get sick from TCE. But getting sick will depend
on the following:
> How much you were exposed to (dose).
> How long you were exposed (duration).
> How often you were exposed (frequency).
> General Health. Age, Lifestyle Young children, the
elderly and people with chronic (on-going) health
problems are more at risk to chemical exposures.
How does TCE affect your health?
Breathing (Inhalation):
^ Breathing high levels of TCE may cause
headaches, lung irritation, dizziness, poor
coordination (clumsy) and difficulty concentrating.
^ Breathing very high levels of TCE for long periods
may cause nerve, kidney and liver damage.
Drinking (Ingestion):
^ Drinking high concentrations of TCE in the water
for long periods may cause liver and kidney
damage, harm immune system functions and
damage fetal development in pregnant women
(although the extent of some of these effects is not
yet clear).
^ It is uncertain whether drinking low levels of TCE
will lead to adverse health effects.
Skin (Dermal) Contact:
^ Short periods of skin contact with high levels of
TCE may cause skin rashes.
0°r
m
-------
Does TCE cause cancer?
The National Toxicology Program's 11th Report on
Carcinogens places chemicals into one of two cancer-
causing categories: Known to be Human Carcinogens
and Reasonably Anticipated to be Human Carcinogens.
The11th Report on Carcinogens states TCE is "Reasonably
Anticipated to be Human Carcinogen."
The category "Reasonably Anticipated to be Human
Carcinogen" gathers evidence mainly from animal studies.
There may be limited human studies or there may be no
human or animal study evidence to support carcinogenicity;
but the agent, substance or mixture belongs to a well-
defined class of substances that are known to be
carcinogenic.
There are human studies of communities that were
exposed to high levels of TCE in drinking water and they
have found evidence of increased leukemia's. But the
residents of these communities were also exposed to other
solvents and may have had other risk factors associated
with this type of cancer.
Animal lab studies in mice and rats have suggested that
high levels of TCE may cause liver, lung, kidney and blood
(lymphoma) cancers.
As part of the National Exposure Subregistry, the Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
compiled data on 4,280 residents of three states (Michigan,
Illinois, and Indiana) who had environmental exposure to
TCE. ATSDR found no definitive evidence for an excess of
cancers from these TCE exposures.
The U.S. EPA is currently reviewing the carcinogenicity of
TCE.
Is there a medical test to show
whether you have been exposed
to TCE?
If you have recently been exposed to TCE, it can be
detected in your breath, blood, or urine. The breath test, if
done soon after exposure, can tell if you have been
exposed to even a small amount of TCE.
Exposure to larger amounts is measured in blood and urine
tests. These tests detect TCE and many of its breakdown
products for up to a week after exposure. However,
exposure to other similar chemicals can produce the same
breakdown products in the blood and urine so the detection
of the breakdown products is not absolute proof of
exposure to TCE.
These tests aren't available at most doctors' offices, but
can be done at special laboratories that have the right
equipment. Note: Tests can determine if you have been
exposed to TCE but cannot predict if you will experience
adverse health effects from the exposure.
Has the federal government made
recommendations to protect
human health?
The federal government develops regulations and
recommendations to protect public health and these
regulations can be enforced by law.
Recommendations and regulations are periodically updated
as more information becomes available. Some regulations
and recommendations for TCE follow:
^ The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
set a maximum contaminant level for TCE in
drinking water at 0.005 milligrams per liter (0.005
mg/L) or 5 parts of TCE per billion parts water (5
ppb).
^ The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) have set an exposure limit of 100 ppm (or
100 parts of TCE per million parts of air) for an 8-
hour workday, 40-hour workweek.
^ The EPA has developed regulations for the
handling and disposal of TCE.
References
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR). 1997. Toxicological profile for TCE (electronic at
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts19.html)
Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition; U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service,
National Toxicology Program, 2005 (2005 electronic at
http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/toc11 .html)
The Ohio Department of Health is in
cooperative agreement with the Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR), Public Health Service, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.
This pamphlet was created by the Ohio
Department of Health, Bureau of
Environmental Health, Health Assessment
Section and supported in whole by funds
from the Cooperative Agreement Program
grant from the ATSDR.
Atsdr
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES
AND OlSEASt REGISTRY
Updated 10/12/06
-------
Bureau of
Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
To protect and improve the health of all Ohioans"
Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)
Other names for tetrachloroethylene include PCE,
perchloroethylene, PERC or tetrachloroethene.
What is PCE?
Tetrachloroethylene (also known as PCE, PERC or
perchloroethylene) is a man-made chemical that is
widely used for dry cleaning clothes and degreasing
metal. It is also used to make other chemicals and
can be found in some household products such as
water repellents, silicone lubricants, spot removers,
adhesives and wood cleaners. It easily evaporates
(turn from a liquid to a gas) into the air and has a
sharp, sweet odor. PCE is a nonflammable (does not
burn) liquid at room temperature.
How does PCE get into the
environment?
PCE can evaporate into the air during dry cleaning
operations and during industrial use. It can also
evaporate into the air if it is not properly stored or was
spilled. If it was spilled or leaked on the ground, it may
find its way into groundwater (underground drinking
water).
People can be exposed
to PCE from the
environment from
household products,
from dry cleaning
products and from
their occupation
(work). Common
environmental levels
of PCE (called
background levels) can be found in the air we
breathe, in the water we drink and in the food we
eat. In general, levels in the air are higher in the cities
or around industrial areas where it is used more than
rural or remote areas.
The people with the greatest chance of exposure to
PCE are those who work with it. According to
estimates from a survey conducted by the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),
more than 650,000 U.S. workers may be exposed.
However, the air close to dry cleaning business and
industrial sites may have levels of PCE higher than
background levels. If the dry cleaning business or
industry has spilled or leaked PCE on the ground,
there may also be contaminated groundwater as well.
What happens to PCE in the
environment?
Much of the PCE that gets into surface waters or soil
evaporates into the air. However, some of the PCE
may make its way to
the groundwater.
Microorganisms can
break down some of
the PCE in soil or
underground water.
In the air, it is broken
down by sunlight into
other chemicals or
brought back to the
soil and water by rain. PCE does not appear to collect
in fish or other animals that live in water.
How can PCE enter and leave my
body?
PCE can enter your body when you breathe
contaminated air or when you drink water or eat food
contaminated with the chemical. If PCE is trapped
against your skin, a small amount of it can pass
through into your body. Very little PCE in the air can
pass through your skin into your body. Breathing
contaminated air and drinking water are the two most
likely ways people will be exposed to PCE. How much
enters your body depends on how much of the
chemical is in the air, how fast and deeply you are
breathing, how long you are exposed to it or how
much of the chemical you eat or drink.
Most PCE leaves your body from your lungs when
you breathe out. This is true whether you take in the
chemical by breathing, drinking, eating, or touching it.
A small amount is changed by your body (in your
liver) into other chemicals that are removed from your
body in urine. Most of the changed PCE leaves your
body in a few days. Some of it that you take in is
found in your blood and other tissues, especially body
fat. Part of the PCE that is stored in fat may stay in
your body for several days or weeks before it is
eliminated.
(3
En
I II
ill
1 * J,.'! j
¦ ¦¦
-------
Can PCE make you sick?
Yes, you can get sick from contact with PCE. But
getting sick will depend upon:
> How much you were exposed to (dose).
> How long you were exposed (duration).
> How often you were exposed (frequency).
> General Health. Age, Lifestyle Young children,
the elderly and people with chronic (on-going)
health problems are more at risk to chemical
exposures.
How can PCE affect my health?
Exposure to very high concentrations of PCE
(particularly in closed, poorly ventilated areas) can
cause dizziness, headache, sleepiness, confusion,
nausea, difficulty in speaking and walking,
unconsciousness and even death. Skin irritation may
result from repeated or extended contact with it as
well. These symptoms occur almost entirely in work
(or hobby) environments when people have been
accidentally exposed to high concentrations or have
intentionally used PCE to get a "high." Normal
background levels (or common environmental
levels) will not cause these health affects.
Does PCE cause cancer (carcinogen)?
In the United States, the National Toxicology Program
(NTP) releases the Report on Carcinogens (RoC)
every two years. The Report on Carcinogens (RoC)
identifies two groups of agents: "Known to be human
carcinogens" & "Reasonably anticipated to be human
carcinogens."
PCE has been shown to cause liver tumors in mice
and kidney tumors in male rats. There is limited
evidence for the carcinogenicity of PCE in humans.
PCE has been studied by observing laundry and dry-
cleaning workers, who may also have been exposed
to other solvents, especially trichloroethylene (TCE),
but also petroleum solvents.
The Eleventh Report on Carcinogens (RoC) has
determined that PCE may reasonably be anticipated
to be a carcinogen.
Reference:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR). 1997. Toxicological Profile for
tetrachloroethylene. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, Public Health Service
Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition; U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Public
Health Service, National Toxicology Program, 2006.
http://ntp.niehs.nih.g ov/ntp/roc/toc 11.html
Revised 08-21-06
Is there a medical test to show whether
you have been exposed to PCE?
One way of testing for PCE exposure is to measure
the amount of the chemical in the breath, much the
same way breath-alcohol measurements are used to
determine the amount of alcohol in the blood.
Because PCE is stored in the body's fat and slowly
released into the bloodstream, it can be detected in
the breath for weeks following a heavy exposure.
Also, PCE and trichloroacetic acid (TCA), a
breakdown product of PCE, can be detected in the
blood. These tests are relatively simple to perform but
are not available at most doctors' offices and must be
done at special laboratories that have the right
equipment. Because exposure to other chemicals can
produce the same breakdown products in the urine
and blood, the tests for breakdown products cannot
determine if you have been exposed to PCE or the
other chemicals that produce the same breakdown
chemicals.
What has the federal government made
recommendations to protect human
health?
The EPA maximum contaminant level for the amount
of PCE that can be in drinking water is 0.005
milligrams PCE per liter of water (0.005 mg/L).
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) have set a limit of 100 ppm for an 8-hour
workday over a 40-hour workweek.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) recommends that PCE be handled as
a potential carcinogen and recommends that levels in
workplace air should be as low as possible.
The Ohio Department of Health is in
cooperative agreement with the Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR), Public Health Service, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.
This pamphlet was created by the Ohio
Department of Health, Bureau of
Environmental Health, Health Assessment
Section and supported in whole by funds
from the Cooperative Agreement Program
grant from the ATSDR.
Atsdr
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES
AND DISEASE REGISTRY
-------
Bureau of
Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
Answers to Frequently Asked Health Questions
"To protect and improve the health of all Ohioans"
How are we exposed to chemicals?
We come in contact with many different chemicals every day
that are non-toxic and normally do not cause health problems.
But any chemical could become toxic if a person comes in
contact with high enough doses. For example: Aspirin will cure
a headache but too much aspirin becomes toxic and can
cause serious health problems. You can get sick from contact
with chemicals but getting sick will depend on the following:
> How much you were exposed to (dose).
> How long you were exposed (duration).
> How often you were exposed (frequency).
> General Health. Age, Lifestyle
Young children, the elderly and people with chronic
(on-going) health problems are more at risk to
chemical exposures.
Other factors that increase health
risks are:
> Current health status (if you are ill or healthy).
> Lifestyle, age, and weight.
> Smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking certain medicines
or drugs.
> Allergies to certain chemicals.
> Past chemical exposure.
> Working in an industry/factory that makes or uses
chemicals.
What is a completed exposure pathway?
Chemicals must have a way to get into a person's body to
cause health problems. This process of those chemicals
getting into our bodies is called an exposure pathway. A
completed exposure pathway includes all of the following 5
links between a chemical source and the people who are
exposed to that chemical.
(1) A Source of the chemical (where the chemical came
from);
(2) Environmental Transport (the way the chemical
moves from the source to the public. This can take
place through the soil, air, underground drinking water
or surface water);
(3) Point of Exposure (the place where there is physical
contact with the chemical. This could be on-site as
well as off-site);
(4) A Route of Exposure (how people came into the
physical contact with the chemical. This can take
place by drinking, eating, breathing or touching it);
(5) People Who Could be Exposed (people that live near
a facility who are most likely to come into physical
contact with the site-related chemical).
What are exposure routes?
There are three ways (routes) a person can come in contact
with toxic chemicals. They include:
> Breathing (inhalation).
> Eating and drinking (ingestion).
> Skin contact (dermal contact).
Inhalation (breathing)
Chemicals can enter our body through the air we breathe.
These chemicals can come in the form of dust, mist, or fumes.
Some chemicals may stay in the lungs and damage lung cells.
Other chemicals may pass through lung tissue, enter the
bloodstream, and affect other parts of our body.
Ingestion (eating or drinking)
The body can absorb chemicals in the stomach from the foods
we eat or the liquids we drink. Chemicals may also be in the
dust or soil we swallow. These chemicals can enter our blood
and affect other parts of our body.
Dermal (skin) Contact
Chemicals can enter our body through our skin. We can come
in contact with water polluted by chemicals or touch polluted
soil. Some chemicals pass through our skin and enter our
bloodstream, affecting other parts of our body.
For more information contact:
Ohio Department of Health
Health Assessment Section
246 North High Street, 5th Floor
Columbus OH 43215
Phone: 614-466-1390
Fax: 614-644-4556
Atsdr
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES
AND DISEASE REGISTRY
The Ohio Department of Health is in cooperative
agreement with the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR),
Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services.
This pamphlet was created by the Ohio
Department of Health, Health Assessment
Section and supported in whole by funds from
the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act trust fund.
Revised 10/28/03
-------
Bureau of
Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
To protect and improve the health of all Ohioans"
Benzene
(ben' zeen)
Answers to Frequently Asked Health Questions
What is benzene?
Benzene, also known as benzol, is a colorless liquid with
a sweet odor. It is highly flammable and evaporates in the
air quickly.
Where do you find benzene?
Most everyone is exposed to low levels of benzene in their
every day activities. People are exposed to small amounts
of benzene in the air outside, at work and in the home.
Benzene is a natural part of crude oil, gas and cigarette
smoke. Auto exhaust and industrial emissions account for
about 20% of the total nationwide exposure to benzene.
About 50% of the entire nationwide exposure to benzene
results from smoking tobacco or from 2nd hand exposure to
tobacco smoke. Other natural sources of benzene include
volcanoes and forest fires.
The outdoor air has low levels of benzene that come from
the car exhaust, gas fumes and cigarette smoke. Indoor
air usually contains higher levels of benzene that can be
found in cigarette smoke, glues, paints, furniture wax and
detergents.
Benzene is widely used in U.S. industry. Some industries
use benzene to make other chemicals which are used to
make plastics, resins, nylon and synthetic fibers. Benzene
is also used to make some types of rubbers, lubricants,
dyes, detergents, drugs and pesticides.
How do you come in contact with
unhealthy levels of benzene?
In the air:
> Higher levels of benzene can be released in the air
around industries that make or use benzene.
In the underground drinking water:
> If underground storage tanks containing benzene
leak, benzene could get into the underground well
water and pollute it.
Occupation (job):
> Working in an industry that makes or uses
benzene.
Can benzene make you sick?
Yes, you can get sick from benzene. Getting sick
will depend on:
>• How much you were exposed to (dose).
> How long you were exposed (duration).
>• How often you were exposed (frequency).
>• General Health. Age, Lifestyle
Young children, the elderly and people
with chronic (on-going) health problems
are more at risk to chemical exposures.
How does benzene affect health?
Breathing benzene:
Breathing high levels of benzene can cause rapid
heart rate, dizziness, headaches, tremors
(shaking), confusion, drowsiness (sleepy), and
unconsciousness (passing out). Breathing
extremely high levels of benzene can result in
death.
Eating or drinking benzene:
Eating foods or drinking water containing high
levels of benzene can cause an irritated (upset)
stomach, vomiting, rapid heart rate, dizziness,
convulsions (severe shaking), sleepiness and
death.
Long-term exposure to benzene:
Long-term exposure (365 days or longer) to high
levels of benzene causes serious problems with
the production of blood. Benzene harms the bone
marrow which produces the body's red and white
blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen and
white blood cells fight infection. A decrease in red
blood cells leads to anemia. A decrease in white
blood cells affects the immune system and
increases the chance for infection.
Women exposed to benzene:
Some women who breathed high levels of
benzene for many months had irregular menstrual
periods and a decrease in the size of their ovaries.
It is not known whether benzene exposure affects
the developing fetus in pregnant women or fertility
in men.
-------
Does benzene cause cancer?
Yes, the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) has determined that benzene is a known
human carcinogen (causes cancer).
Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the
air can lead to leukemia and cancers of the blood-
forming organs.
Is there a medical test to show whether
you have been exposed to benzene?
Several tests can show if you have been exposed to
benzene. However, all these tests must be done
shortly after exposure because benzene leaves the
body quickly. These tests include testing the breath,
blood and urine. However, the urine test may not be
as effective to measures benzene levels.
Note that all these tests will show the amount of
benzene in your body but cannot tell you whether
you will have any harmful health problems. They
also do not tell you where the benzene came from.
What has been done to protect human
health?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) has set a permissible 1 ppm exposure limit
of air in the workplace during an 8-hour workday,
40-hour week.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set
the maximum permissible level of benzene in drinking
water at 0.005 parts per million (ppm).
The EPA requires benzene spills or accidental
releases into the environment of 10 pounds or more of
be reported to the EPA.
Most people can begin to smell benzene in air at
1.5 - 4.7 parts of benzene parts per million (ppm)
and smell benzene in water at 2 ppm. Most people
can begin to taste benzene in water at 0.5 - 4.5 ppm.
For more information contact:
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
246 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-1390
Fax: (614) 466-4556
Reference:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR). 1997. Toxicological profile for benzene.
Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Public Health Service.
Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition; U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Public
Health Service, National Toxicology Program, 2006.
Atsdr
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES
AND DISEASE REGISTRY
The Ohio Department of Health is in
cooperative agreement with the Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR), Public Health Service, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.
This pamphlet was created by the Ohio
Department of Health, Bureau of
Environmental Health, Health Assessment
Section and supported in whole by funds
from the Cooperative Agreement Program
grant from the ATSDR.
WOfeERflk
Revised 08/07/09
-------
Bureau of
Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
To protect and improve the health of all Ohioans"
BTEX
Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes
What is BTEX?
BTEX is not one chemical, but are a group of the following
chemical compounds:
Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylenes.
BTEX are made up of naturally-occurring chemicals that are
found mainly in petroleum products such as gasoline.
Refineries will change the amounts of these chemical
compounds to meet vapor pressure and octane standards
for gasoline. Besides gasoline, BTEX can be found in many
of the common household products we use every day.
BTEX Breakdown
~ Benzene 11%
¦ Toluene 26%
~ Ethylbenzene
11%
~ Xylene 52%
BTEX
typically
make up
about
18% of
gasoline.
What are some products that contain
BTEX?
Benzene can be found in gasoline and in products such as
synthetic rubber, plastics, nylon, insecticides, paints, dyes,
resins-glues, furniture wax, detergents and cosmetics.
Benzene can also be found in cigarette smoke. Auto exhaust
and industrial emissions account for about 20% of the total
nationwide exposure to benzene. About 50% of the entire
nationwide exposure to benzene results from smoking
tobacco or from exposure to tobacco smoke.
Toluene occurs naturally as a component of many petroleum
products. Toluene is used as a solvent for paints, coatings,
gums, oils and resins.
Ethylbenzene is used mostly as a gasoline and aviation fuel
additive. It may also be present in consumer products such
as paints, inks, plastics and pesticides.
There are three forms of Xylene: ortho-, meta-, and para-.
Ortho-xylene is the only naturally-occurring form of xylene;
the other two forms are man-made. Xylenes are used in
gasoline and as a solvent in printing, rubber and leather
industries.
BTEX are in a class of chemicals known as volatile organic
compounds (VOCs). VOC chemicals easily vaporize or
change from a liquid to a vapor (gas). The VOC vapors can
travel through the air and/or move through contaminated
groundwater and soils as vapors, possibly impacting indoor
air quality in nearby homes or businesses.
Where do you find BTEX?
Most people are exposed to small amounts of BTEX
compounds in the ambient (outdoor) air, at work and
in the home. Most everyone is exposed to low levels
of these chemicals in their everyday activities. People
who live in urban areas (cities) or by major roads and
highways will likely be exposed to more BTEX than
someone who lives in a rural setting.
Besides common everyday
exposures, larger amounts of BTEX
can enter the environment from
leaks from underground storage
tanks, overfills of storage tanks,
fuel spills and landfills. BTEX
compounds easily move through
soils and can make their way into
the groundwater, contaminating public and private
water systems and the soils in between.
Can exposure to BTEX make you
sick?
Yes, you can get sick from exposure to BTEX. But
getting sick will depend on:
> How much you were exposed to (dose).
> How long you were exposed (duration).
> How often you were exposed (frequency).
> General Health. Age, Lifestyle
Young children, the elderly and people with
chronic (on-going) health problems are more
at risk to chemical exposures.
How are you exposed to BTEX?
Exposure can occur by either drinking contaminated
water (ingestion), by breathing contaminated air from
pumping gas or from the water via showering or
laundering (inhalation) or from spills on your skin
(dermal).
How does BTEX affect health?
Acute (short-term) exposure to gasoline and its
components benzene, toluene and xylenes has been
associated with skin and sensory irritation, central
nervous system-CNS problems (tiredness, dizziness,
headache, loss of coordination) and effects on the
respiratory system (eye and nose irritation).
On top of skin, sensory and CNS problems, prolonged
exposure to these compounds can also affect the
kidney, liver and blood systems.
-------
Do BTEX compounds cause cancer?
In the absence of data on the cancer-causing nature of
the whole mixture (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and
xylenes), possible health hazards from exposures to
BTEX are assessed using an individual component-based
approach of the individual chemicals.
Benzene: According to the U.S. EPA, there is good
evidence to believe that benzene is a known human
carcinogen (causes cancer). Workers exposed to high
levels of benzene in occupational settings were found to
have an increase occurrence of leukemia. The Department
of Health and Human Services (HHS) has determined
that benzene is a known human carcinogen. Long-term
exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can lead to
leukemia and cancers of the blood-forming organs.
Ethylbenzene: According to the International Agency for
Research on Cancer (IARC), ethylbenzene classified as
a Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans, based on
studies of laboratory animals.
Toluene, and Xylenes have been categorized as not
classifiable as to human carcinogenicity by both EPA (IRIS
2001) and IARC (1999a, 1999b), reflecting the lack of
evidence for the carcinogenicity of these two chemicals.
Is there a medical test to show whether
you have been exposed to BTEX?
Several tests can show if you have been exposed to BTEX.
Components of BTEX can be found in the blood, urine,
breath and some body tissues of exposed people.
However, these tests need to be done within a few hours
after exposure because these substances leave the body
very quickly. The most common way to test for
ethylbenzene is in the urine. However, the urine test may
not be as effective to measures benzene levels.
Note these tests will perhaps show the amount of BTEX
in your body, but they cannot tell you whether you will
have any harmful health problems. They also do not tell
you where the benzene came from.
How can families reduce the risk of
exposure to BTEX?
> Use adequate ventilation to reduce exposure to
BTEX vapors from consumer products such as
gasoline, pesticides, varnishes, paints, resins-glues
and newly installed carpeting.
> Household chemicals should be stored out of reach
of children to prevent accidental poisoning. Always
store household chemicals in their original
containers; never store them in containers that
children would find attractive to eat or drink from,
such as old soda bottles. Gasoline should be
stored in a gasoline can with a locked cap.
> Volatile chemicals should be stored outside the
home if possible - in a separate garage or shed.
> Don't smoke indoors with doors and windows
closed.
&
:
v..?
For more information contact:
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
246 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-1390
Fax: (614) 466-4556
References:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR). 1997. Toxicological profile for benzene. U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health
Service.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR). 2007. Toxicological profile for ethylbenzene.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public
Health Service.
Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). 2007.
BTEX.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR). 2004. Interaction Profile for Benzene, Toluene,
Ethylbenzene and Xylene (BTEX). U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
The Ohio Department of Health is in
cooperative agreement with the Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR), Public Health Service, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.
This pamphlet was created by the Ohio
Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental
Health, Health Assessment Section and
supported in whole by funds from the
Cooperative Agreement Program grant
from the ATSDR.
Atsdr
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES
AND DISEASE REGISTRY
Revised 02/29/08
-------
Bureau of
Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
To protect and improve the health of all Ohioans"
1,2-D i c h I o roethe ne
(also called els- and trans«ll,2 DCE )
Answers to Frequently Asked Health Questions
What is 1,2 DCE?
1,2-Dichloroetherie (1,2 DCE) is a highly-flammable,
chlorinated, colorless liquid thai has a sharp, harsh odor.
There are no known products you can buy that contain
1,2 DCE. 1,2 DCE is used when mixing other chlorinated
chemicals and is most often used to produce chemical
solvents.
How does 1,2 DCE enter the environment?
1,2 DCE is released to the environment from chemical
factories that make or use this chemical, from landfills and
hazardous waste sites that have a spill or leak, from
chemical spills, from burning vinyl, and from the chemical
breakdown of other chlorinated chemicals in the
underground drinking water (groundwater).
What happens to 1,2 DCE when it enters the
environment?
Air: When spilled on moist soils or in rivers, lakes and other
bodies of water, most of the 1,2 DCE quickly evaporates
into the air. 1,2 DCE quickly breaks down by reacting with
the sunlight. In the air, it usually takes about 5-12 days for
half of any amount spilled to break down.
Water: The 1,2 DCE found below soil surfaces in landfills
or hazardous waste sites may dissolve in water during rain
events and leak deeper in the soils, possibly contaminating
the groundwater. Once in groundwater, it takes about 13-
48 weeks for half of any amount spilled to break down.
Soils: Some 1,2 DCE trapped under ground may escape
as soil-gas vapors. These vapors can travel through soils,
especially if the soils are sandy and loose or have a lot of
cracks (fissures). The vapors can then enter a home
through cracks in the foundation or into a basement with
a dirt floor or concrete slab. 1,2 DCE in groundwater will
eventually break down into vinyl chloride and other
chemicals, some of which are more hazardous to people
than the 1,2 DCE.
How can I be exposed to 1,2 DCE?
People who live in cities or suburbs are more likely to be
exposed to 1,2 DCE than people living! in rural areas. Most
people who are exposed through air or water are exposed
to very low levels, in the parts per billion (ppb) range.
Notes: "ppb" is a unit of measurement. Example: 1 part
per billion (1 ppb) would be equal to having one bean in
a pile of one billion beans or 1 second of time in 32
years.
Human exposure to 1,2 DCE usually happens where the
chemical has been improperly disposed of or spilled.
Exposure mainly happens by breathing contaminated air or
drinking contaminated water. If the water in your home is
contaminated, you could also be breathing 1,2 DCE vapors
while cooking, bathing or washing dishes.
The people who are most likely to be exposed to 1,2 DCE
are people who work at factories where this chemical is
made or used, people who work at a 1,2 DCE contaminated
landfill, communities that live near contaminated landfills
and hazardous waste sites.
How does 1,2 DCE enter and leave my body?
Most 1,2 DCE enters the body through your lungs when
you breathe contaminated air, through your stomach and
intestines when you eat contaminated food or water, or
through your skin upon contact with the chemical.
Once breathed or swallowed, it enters your blood rapidly.
Once in your biood, it travels throughout your body. When it
reaches your liver it is changes into several other break-
down chemicals. Some of these chemicals are more
harmful than 1,2 DCE.
m
ar
-------
Can 1,2 DCE make me sick?
Yes, you can get sick from exposure to 1,2 DCE. However,
getting sick will depend on many factors such as:
> How much you were exposed to (dose).
> How long you were exposed (duration).
> How often you were exposed (frequency).
> How toxic is the chemical of concern.
> General Health. Age, Lifestyle
Young children, the elderly and people with chronic
(on-going) health problems are more at risk to
chemical exposures.
How can exposure to 1,2 DCE affect my
health?
Most information about exposure to 1,2 DCE is from
occupational studies where workers were exposed at very
high levels. Most environmental exposures to 1,2 DCE are
at much lower than those in the workplace.
The short-term occupational studies of workers exposed to
breathing high levels of 1,2 DCE found workers became
nauseous (upset stomach), drowsy and tired.
The long-term human health effects after exposure to low
concentrations of 1,2 DCE are not known.
Will exposure to 1,2 DCE cause cancer?
The U.S. EPA classifies 1,2 DCE as a Class D carcinogen.
The U.S. EPA Class D category is used when the chemical
is not classifiable to its human carcinogenicity (ability to
cause cancer). This classification is made because there is
no solid data that this chemical causes cancer in humans or
animals.
Is there a test to find out if I have been
exposed to 1,2 DCE?
Tests are available to measure concentrations of 1,2 DCE
in blood, urine and tissues. However, these tests aren't
normally used to determine whether a person has been
exposed to this compound. This is due to the fact that after
you are exposed to 1,2 DCE, the breakdown products in
your body that are detected with these tests may be the
same as those that come from exposure to other
chemicals. These tests aren't available in most doctors'
offices, but can be done at special laboratories that have
the right equipment.
What recommendations has the federal
government made to protect human health?
The federal government has developed regulatory
standards and guidelines to protect people from possible
health effects of 1,2 DCE in water and air.
Water: The EPA has established water quality guidelines
to protect both aquatic life and people who eat fish and
shellfish. The EPA Office of Drinking Water has set a
drinking water regulation that states that water delivered
to any user of a public water system shall not exceed
70 ppb for cis-1,2 DCE and 100 ppb trans-1,2 DCE. For
very short-term exposures (1 day) for children, EPA advises
that concentrations in drinking water should not be more
than 4 ppm for cis-1,2 DCE or 20 ppm for trans-1,2 DCE.
For 10-day exposures for children, EPA advises that
drinking water concentrations should not be more than
3 ppm for cis-1,2 DCE or 2 ppm for trans-1,2 DCE. For
industrial or waste disposal sites, any release of 1,000
pounds or more must be reported to the EPA.
Air: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) and the American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) have
established guidelines for occupational exposure to
cis- or trans-1,2 DCE. Average concentrations should
not exceed 200 ppm in the air.
References:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR). 1996. Toxicological profile for 1,2-
Dichloroethene. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, Public Health Service. (2006
electronic copy at:
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp87.html)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Integrated Risk
Information System, II.A.1. Weight-of-Evidence
Characterization (2006 electronic copy at:
http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0418.htm#evid)
Where Can I Get More Information?
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
246 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-1390
The Ohio Department of Health
is in cooperative agreement
with the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR).
Atsdr
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES
AND DISEASE REGISTRY
This fact sheet was created by the Ohio
Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental
Health, Health Assessment Section and supported
in whole by funds from the Cooperative Agreement
Program grant from the ATSDR
Created 11-09-06
-------
Bureau of
Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
"To protect and improve the health of all Ohioans"
Vinyl Chloride
Answers to Frequently Asked Health Questions
What is vinyl chloride?
Vinyl chloride is a colorless, flammable gas with
a mild, sweet odor. It does not occur naturally in
the environment but is a man-made product that
is used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is used to
variety of plastic products
including pipes, wire and cable
coatings, and packaging
materials. Before the mid-1970s,
vinyl chloride was used as a
coolant, used as a propellant in
aerosol spray cans and could be
found in some cosmetics.
Vinyl chloride can also be produced as a by-
product or when chlorinated solvents such as
TCE & PCE chemically break down.
How does vinyl chloride get in your
body?
> By breathing (inhalation) vinyl chloride
that has leaked from plastics industries,
hazardous waste sites, and landfills.
> By breathing (inhalation) vinyl chloride in
contaminated workplace air or having
skin or eye contact.
> By breathing (inhalation) tobacco smoke
from cigarettes or cigars.
> By drinking (ingesting) water from
contaminated wells.
Most people begin to smell vinyl chloride in the
air at 3,000 parts vinyl chloride parts per million
(ppm) of air. However, this is too high a level to
prevent adequate warning of exposure. Most
people begin to taste vinyl chloride in water at
3.4 parts per million (ppm).
Before government regulations, vinyl chloride
could get into food that was stored in materials
containing PVC.
How does vinyl chloride affect your
health?
It is hard to know what levels of exposure to
vinyl chloride can cause health problems. The
kinds of health problems and extent of problems
that are seen with exposure depend on many
factors. These factors include:
> How much vinyl chloride a person is
exposed to (dose).
> How long a person is exposed to the vinyl
chloride (duration).
> How often a person is exposed to the
vinyl chloride (frequency).
> How you were exposed (inhalation or
drinking).
Most vinyl chloride you breathe or swallow will
quickly enter your blood. When it reaches your
liver, the liver will change it into other
substances which also travel in your blood. Most
of the vinyl chloride leaves your system through
the urine within a day after entering your body.
But the products made by the liver will take a
little longer to leave your body.
Short-term exposure effects:
Breathing high levels of vinyl chloride (much
higher than what is normally in the environment)
can cause a person to feel dizzy or become
sleepy. Studies in animals show that extremely
high levels of vinyl chloride can damage the
liver, lungs, kidneys, and heart, and prevent
blood clotting.
Long-term exposure effects:
People who have breathed high levels
(thousands of parts per million-ppm) vinyl
chloride for several years under industrial
conditions have changes in the structure of their
liver. People that have worked with vinyl chloride
have nerve damage and others have developed
an immune reaction. Some workers exposed to
very high levels of vinyl chloride have problems
with the blood flow to their hands.
make a
-------
Are there other health problems seen
with exposure to vinyl chloride?
Some men who work with vinyl chloride have
complained of a lack of libido (sex drive).
Women who work with vinyl chloride have
reported irregular menstrual periods and have
developed high blood pressure during
pregnancy. Vinyl chloride has not been shown
to cause birth defects.
Is there a test to find out if I have been
exposed to vinyl chloride?
There are two tests which can measure vinyl
chloride in your body. However, these tests are
not routinely available at your doctor's office and
must be done at special laboratories that have
the right equipment.
Vinyl chloride can be measured in your breath
and vinyl chloride's chief breakdown product,
thiodiglycolic acid, can be measured in your
urine. But exposure to other chemicals can also
produce the same breakdown products in your
urine.
Note that both the breath and urine test must be
done shortly after exposure and these tests are
not very helpful for measuring low levels of the
chemical.
Does vinyl chloride cause cancer?
The Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) has determined that vinyl chloride is a
known carcinogen (causes cancer).
The International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC) has determined that vinyl
chloride is carcinogenic (causes cancer) to
humans, and the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) has determined that vinyl chloride
causes cancer.
Studies of workers who breathed very high
levels vinyl chloride for many years showed an
increased risk of cancers of the liver. Also, brain,
lung and some cancers of the blood may also be
connected with breathing vinyl chloride.
Has the federal government made
recommendations to protect human
health?
The federal government develops regulations
and recommendations to protect public health
and these regulations can be enforced by law.
The U.S. EPA requires that the amount of vinyl
chloride in drinking water not exceed 0.002 ppm
(parts per million).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
regulates the vinyl chloride content of plastics,
because vinyl chloride may leak from plastic into
foods or water.
Reference
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). Toxicological profile for vinyl
chloride, September, 1997.
Where can I get more information?
Ohio Department of Health
Health Assessment Section
246 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-1390
Fax: (614) 466-4556
Atsdr
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES
AND DISEASE REGISTRY
The Ohio Department of Health has a
cooperative agreement with the Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR), Public Health Service, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.
This pamphlet was created by the Ohio
Department of Health, Health Assessment
Section and supported in whole by funds
from the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act
trust fund.
Revised 10-15-03
-------
Bureau of
Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
"To protect and improve the health of all Ohioans"
Polycyclic Aromatic
Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Answers to Frequently Asked Health Questions
What are Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
(PAHs)?
PAHs are a group of chemicals naturally found in coal, coal
tars, oil, wood, tobacco and other organic materials. PAHs
are released into the environment as the result of the
incomplete burning of these materials.
There are more than 100 different PAHs. PAHs are the
waxy solids found in asphalt, crude oil, coal, coal tar pitch,
creosote and roofing tar. Some types of PAHs are used in
medicines and to make dyes, plastics and pesticides.
PAHs are ubiquitous (are everywhere) throughout the world
and can be found in every type of environment. Urban
environments (cities) tend to have higher levels of PAHs
due to the increased amounts of gas and oil burned as well
as the increased use of asphalt and tars on roads and
shingles on roofs.
What happens to PAHs when they enter the
environment?
PAHs can enter the environment in the air from volcanoes,
forest fires, residential wood burning and exhaust from cars
and trucks.
In urban (city) environments, PAHs can enter creek and
river sediments (soils) from water running off asphalt roads,
parking lots and driveways. PAHs are also found in roofing
shingles and tars and can run off roofs to be carried to
downspouts and drainage systems during rain events.
Some of the PAHs are lighter (or a lower molecular weight)
and can volatize (evaporate) into the air. These PAHs
break down by reacting with sunlight and other chemicals in
the air. This generally takes days to weeks. The more
sunlight, the quicker these PAHs will breakdown. These
lighter (low molecular weight) PAHs are less toxic to
humans and are not carcinogenic (cancer causing).
Heavier (or a higher molecular weight) PAHs do not
dissolve in water, but stick to solid particles and settle to the
sediments in bottoms of lakes, rivers or streams. These
"fat" PAHs stick to soils and sediments and will generally
take weeks to months to break down in the environment.
Microorganisms in soils and sediments are the main cause
of breakdown. These heavy PAHs are carcinogenic (cancer
causing) to lab animals and may be carcinogenic to
humans.
How might I be exposed to PAHs?
For most of the U.S. population, the primary sources of
exposure to PAHs are inhalation of compounds in tobacco
smoke, wood smoke and the ambient (outside) air. Smoke
may contain both light (vapors) and heavy (soot or ash)
PAHs.
You may also be exposed to PAHs by incidental (minor or
casual) contact to lake, river or creek sediments or by
eating smoked or charbroiled foods.
Overall exposure to PAHs will increase if persons come in
contact with PAHs in their workplace. PAHs have been
found in industries such as coal tar production plants,
smoke houses, coking plants, aluminum production plants,
coal tarring facilities and municipal trash incinerators.
Also, PAHs can be found in industries such as mining, oil
refining, metalworking, chemical production, transportation
and the electrical industry. PAHs have also been found in
other facilities where petroleum and petroleum products are
used or where coal, oil, wood or cellulose is burned.
PAHs are present throughout the environment and you
may be exposed to these substances at home, outside or
at the workplace. Typically, you will not be exposed to an
individual PAH, but to a mixture of PAHs.
How do PAHs enter and leave my body?
PAHs can enter your body through your lungs when you
breathe air. However, it is not known how rapidly or
completely your lungs absorb PAHs.
PAHs can enter your body through drinking water and
swallowing food, soil or dust particles that contain PAHs.
But absorption is generally slow when PAHs are swallowed
and generally you will not be ingesting (swallowing) large
amounts of PAHs.
Under normal conditions of environmental exposure, PAHs
could enter your body if your skin comes into contact with
soil that contains high levels of PAHs. Studies have shown
that low molecular weight (lighter) PAHs can be absorbed
through the skin but the absorption of high molecular
weight (heavy) PAHs is quite limited.
Once in the human body, PAHs are changed into different
substances and stored in tissue and fat cells.
Results from animal studies show that PAHs do not tend to
be stored in your body for a long time. Most PAHs that
enter the body leave within a few days, primarily in the
feces and urine.
-------
Can PAHs make you sick?
Yes, you can get sick from PAHs. But getting sick
will depend on:
>• How much you were exposed to (dose).
>• How long you were exposed (duration).
>• How often you were exposed (frequency).
>• Route of exposure: Ingesting (eating) and inhaling
(breathing) is more of a risk than dermal (skin)
exposure.
>• General Health, age, lifestyle:
Young children, the elderly and people with
chronic (on going) health problems are more
at risk to chemical exposures.
PAH's have a low acute toxicity. What this means is that if
you were exposed to high levels of PAH's for a short period
of time, you will most likely not experience harmful health
effects.
Chemicals with high acute toxicity are chemicals that would
cause immediate harmful health effects or even death if you
came in contact with a high dose. Examples of chemicals
with a high acute toxicity are cyanide or arsenic. If you were
to come in contact with high levels of arsenic or cyanide,
you could die. This is not the case with PAHs.
Do PAHs cause cancer?
It is uncertain if PAHs are carcinogenic (cancer causing) to
humans.
Several studies have shown that PAHs have caused
tumors in laboratory animals when they breathed these
substances in the air, when they ate them or when they had
long periods of skin contact with them. Studies in animals
have also shown that PAHs can cause harmful effects on
skin and the body's system for fighting disease after both
short and long-term exposure. But these effects have not
been reported in humans.
Studies of people show that individuals exposed by
breathing or skin contact for long periods to mixtures that
contain PAHs and other compounds may develop cancer.
But the studies were uncertain if the cancer was caused by
PAHs or the other associated chemicals.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
has determined some PAHs are known animal
carcinogens.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
has determined some PAHs are probably carcinogenic to
humans, some PAHs are possibly carcinogenic to humans
and some PAHs are not classifiable as to their
carcinogenicity to humans.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
determined some PAHs are probable human
carcinogens and some PAHs are not classifiable
as to human carcinogenicity.
Is there a medical test to determine whether I
have been exposed to PAHs?
Yes. Many PAHs can be measured in the blood or urine
soon after exposure. Although these tests can show that
you have been exposed to PAHs, these tests cannot be
used to predict whether any health effects will occur or to
determine the extent or source of your exposure to the
PAHs. It is not known how effective or informative the tests
are after exposure has stopped. The medical tests used to
identify PAHs or their products are not routinely available at
a doctor's office because special equipment is required to
detect these chemicals. Seek medical advice if you have
any symptoms you think may be related to chemical
exposure.
What recommendations has the federal
government made to protect human health?
Water: Drinking Water MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level)
for Benzo (a) pyrene is 0.2 ppb (parts per billion). Benzo (a)
pyrene is a heavy (or a higher molecular weight) PAH.
Air: No standards exist for the amount of PAHs allowed in
the air of private homes. However, air standards have been
set for occupational (work) settings.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
has set a limit of 0.2 milligrams of PAHs per cubic meter of
air (0.2 mg/m3). The OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit
(PEL) for mineral oil mist that contains PAHs is 5 mg/m3
averaged over an 8-hour exposure period.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) recommends that the average workplace air levels
for coal tar products not exceed 0.1 mg/m3 for a 10-hour
workday, within a 40-hour workweek. There are other limits
for workplace exposure for things that contain PAHs, such
as coal, coal tar and mineral oil.
For more information about PAHs:
For detailed information about PAHs, visit the Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Toxicological Profile for PAHs.
Web Site: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp69.html
E-mail: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov
Toll-free: 1-888-422-8737
References:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR). 1995. Toxicological profile for polvcvclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs). Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
ATSDR. 1990. Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH)
Toxicity. Case Studies in Environmental Health Medicine
#13. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 19p.
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services,
Division of Public Health, Bureau of Environmental Health,
Chemical Fact Sheet, PAHs, 2004.
-------
Bureau of
Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
To protect and improve the health of all Ohioans"
Landfill Gas
Answers to Frequently Asked Health Questions
Municipal Solid Waste Landfills (mswlf):
Private homes, business and industry all produce waste.
The wastes we create are regulated as either hazardous
waste or solid waste. It is the non-hazardous solid wastes
that are often sent to a municipal solid waste landfill
(MSWLF). Commonly called trash or garbage, the non-
hazardous waste accepted at MSWLF include items such
as paper products, food items, plastics, metals, glass and
household items such as old furniture, appliances and
household hazardous wastes. Note: For a listing of the
common household hazardous wastes that can be taken to
your local household hazardous waste collection events,
visit the Ohio EPA household hazardous waste web site at:
www.epa.state.oh.us/dhwm/recvcpro.aspx
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) regulations
require Ohio landfills to be designed and operated to
prevent contamination from moving into the environment.
The landfill design and operation system include a liner and
a leachate (landfill water) collection systems. Landfills also
monitor for methane gas and have gas collection systems.
What are landfill gases?
Landfill gases are colorless vapors that are produced at
solid waste landfills and other waste disposal sites where
trash and garbage are buried in the ground and covered
with dirt. Over time, the bacteria in the soils will break
down (decompose) the organic wastes in the landfill. The
by-product of these bacteria breaking down the garbage
will produce gases, just as humans produce carbon dioxide
gas when we breathe out the oxygen we take in. Volatile
organic compound (VOC) gases can also be produced in a
landfill when common household chemical products
vaporize (turn from a solid or liquid into a gas).
The amount and type of gases created by a landfill
depends on the amount of garbage buried in the landfill, the
type of garbage buried, the age of the landfill, the size and
depth of the landfill and the chemical environment within
the landfill.
The gases created in a landfill will try to move through the
landfill to reach the surface air. Once in the outdoor air,
landfill gases will mix with the air and be carried by the
surface winds. Wind speed, wind direction and barometric
pressure can affect whether residents will come in contact
with these landfill gasses. Because wind speed and wind
direction change, the degree of the exposure to odors will
be different from day to day. At locations near a landfill,
landfill gases tend to be most noticeable in the early
morning, when winds tend to be most gentle, providing the
least mixing of air and dilution of the gas. Landfill gas
production tends to be highest when the weather is hot and
dry; it decreases with cooling temperatures or frequent
rainfall.
Characteristics of landfill gases:
> Landfill gases try to move from higher pressure
areas (areas deep within the landfill) to lower
pressure areas (areas such as ground surface and
off-site areas)
Landfill gases easily move through loose sand or
gravel soils and will be released to the air through
any cracks it can find
Landfill gases will take the path of least resistance,
often following buried utility lines (water, electrical,
or gas lines)
At older, unlined landfills, the landfill cover (cap) will
often cause gas to move out sideways under
ground from the landfill. Note: A landfill cover or
cap is usually made of clay or some other rainproof
(impermeable) material
Gases will usually move away from the decaying
garbage, but it is difficult to predict the specific
directions the gas will follow
>
>
>
>
What kinds of gases are found in a
MSWLF?
Landfill gases are typically made up of hundreds of different
types of gases. The main gases produced by a MSWLF are
usually methane at 40-65% and carbon dioxide (C02) at
40-60%. C02 and methane are colorless and odorless
gasses. Methane, at certain levels, can be flammable or
even explosive and can pose a physical hazard. Since
methane is lighter than air, it can pose a physical hazard if
trapped in confined spaces of buildings, such as
basements and crawl spaces
Other landfill gases are produced by bacteria breaking
down organic material and are called reduced sulfur gases
or sulfides (examples: hydrogen sulfide (H2S), dimethyl
sulfide and mercaptans). These gases do have odors and
they give the landfill that familiar "rotting" smell. But
hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and non-methane VOCs make up a
much smaller proportion of the landfill gas at less than 1%.
> Methane 40-65%
> Carbon dioxide (C02) 40-60%
> Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) <1%
and non-methane VOCs
-------
How can we detect landfill gas?
Landfill gases are mostly invisible, but they can be detected
in the environment by:
> Odors: Landfill gases commonly contain hydrogen
sulfide (H2S) gas which produces a foul, rotten egg
odor. This H2S odor can be detected at very low
levels, levels much lower than those at which this
chemical can cause toxic health problems. In
contrast, potentially harmful VOCs have a
distinctive, sweet, ether-like smell, but you cannot
usually smell them in landfill gases because they
are present at such low concentrations.
> Stressed or dead vegetation: Landfill gases will
reduce the amount of oxygen in the soils. The
lack of oxygen affects deep root growth and often
results in the death of deep-rooted plants,
especially trees. Soils with high levels of landfill
gases will not grow vegetation or the vegetation will
be stunted and limited to shallow-rooted plants.
> Landfill gas-monitoring probes: Landfill gas
probes are narrow, hollow tubes inserted in the
ground. There are holes in the sides of these tubes
that allow gas vapors to flow into the tube. The
tubes are then sealed to trap the gas. These
sample results can show the type and amount of
gas and whether it is at a level that can create a
public health threat.
How can landfill gases affect my health
and safety?
Under the right set of environmental conditions, landfill gas
can be a potential health hazard to residents living close to
a landfill. However, a person must be exposed to specific
concentrations of chemicals and over a specific period of
time before health effects can occur. The two types of
health hazards include:
> Physical Hazard: The methane gas that typically
makes up 40-65% of landfill gas is not toxic, but it
can ignite and cause an explosion under specific
conditions. The specific conditions include the right
combination of methane and oxygen, plus a source
of ignition (spark-fire). Methane can be explosive
at concentrations that range from 5-15% methane
per volume of air. At concentrations below 5%,
methane levels are too low to ignite. At
concentrations above 15%, methane levels are too
rich and oxygen levels are too low to combust.
> Toxic Chemical Hazard: H2S and VOCs
like benzene, perchloroethylene (PCE),
trichloroethylene (TCE) and vinyl chloride can
be toxic to people if they are inhaled at certain
concentrations. If concentrations are high enough,
breathing these gases can cause breathing
difficulties, nausea (upset stomach), dizziness,
headaches and central nervous system problems.
Breathing these gases at high concentrations for
extended periods of time (years) can cause the
development of specific types of cancer and other
serious health problems.
How can we reduce landfill gas
hazards?
Containment and abatement can reduce the possible
health hazards due to the movement of landfill gases off-
site into nearby properties. Containment simply means to
contain the landfill gasses on-site and not allow them to
move off-site. Abatement means to remove, subtract from
or completely stop the production of landfill gasses.
> Containment: Ohio landfills are required to contain
the landfill waste and gases through impermeable
bottom liners and an engineered cap or cover.
> Abatement: Landfill gas is vented from the interior
of the landfill to the outside. This reduces gas
pressure within the landfill and limits the ability of
the gas to move off-site. Gas abatement can be
done passively or actively, through:
o Simple vents installed at points around the
landfill, or
o A pipe system that pumps the gas from the
landfill to a central collection area,
o The collected gasses can be simply
released to the air, burned off in a flare, or
collected to be used as a fuel resource
(natural gas).
References:
ATSDR. Landfill Gas Primer. An Overview for
Environmental Health Professionals. November, 2000.
Georgia Division of Public Health, Environmental Health
and Injury Prevention Branch, Chemical Hazards Program.
Landfill Gases and Odors. 2000.
U.S. EPA. Municipal Solid Waste web site.
www.epa.gov/osw/nonhaz/municipal/msw99.htm
Accessed 2009.
For information on Ohio landfills:
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency web site at:
www.epa.state.oh.us/dsiwm
The Ohio Department of Health is in cooperative
agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances
and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Public Health
Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services.
This fact sheet was created by the Ohio
Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental
Health, Health Assessment Section and supported
in whole by funds from the Cooperative Agreement
Program grant from the ATSDR.
Atsdr m
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES
AND DISEASE REGISTRY
Revised 09/28/09
-------
Bureau of
Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
To protect and improve the health of all Ohioans"
Chloroform
Answers to Frequently Asked Health Questions
What is chloroform?
Chloroform, also called trichloromethane or methyltrichloride,
is a colorless liquid with a pleasant, non-irritating odor and a
slightly sweet taste. As a volatile organic compound (VOC),
chloroform easily vaporizes (turns into a gas) in the air.
Chloroform does not easily burn, but it will burn when it reaches
very high temperatures. Chloroform was one of the first inhaled
anesthetics to be used during surgery, but it is not used as an
anesthesia today.
Where do you find chloroform?
In order to destroy the harmful bacteria found in our drinking
water and waste waters, the chemical chlorine is added to
these water sources. As a by-product of adding chlorine to our
drinking and waste waters, small amounts of chloroform are
formed. So small amounts of chloroform are likely to be found
almost everywhere.
In industry, nearly all the chloroform made in the U.S. is used to
make other chemicals. From the factories that make or use this
chemical, chloroform can enter the air directly or it can enter the
air from the evaporation (changing from liquid to a gas) of
chloroform-contaminated waters and soils. Chloroform can
also enter the water and soils from industry storage and waste
sites spills and leaks.
Not only does chloroform evaporate very quickly when exposed
to air, it also dissolves easily in water and does not stick
to the soils very well. This means chloroform can easily travel
through the soils to groundwater, where it can enter a water
supply. Chloroform lasts a long time in both the air and in
groundwater. Most of the chloroform in the air eventually breaks
down, but it is a slow process. Chloroform does not appear to
build up in great amounts in plants and animals, but we may
find some small amounts of chloroform in foods.
How do you come in contact with
chloroform? Who is more at risk?
You are most likely to be exposed to chloroform by drinking
contaminated water and/or by breathing contaminated indoor or
outdoor air. Chloroform is found in nearly all public drinking
water supplies. Chloroform is also found in the air from all
areas of the United States. You are probably exposed to small
amounts of chloroform in your drinking water and/or in
beverages that are made using water that contains chloroform.
People who are at greater risk to be exposed to chloroform at
higher-than-normal levels are people who work at or near
chemical plants and factories that make or use chloroform.
Higher exposures might occur in workers at drinking water
treatment plants, waste water treatment plants, and paper and
pulp mills. People who operate waste-burning equipment may
also be exposed to higher than normal levels. People who swim
a lot in swimming pools may also be exposed to higher levels.
How does chloroform enter and
leave your body?
> Chloroform can enter your body if you breathe
contaminated air (inhalation)
> Chloroform can enter your body if you eat/drink
contaminated food or water (ingestion)
> Chloroform can also enter your body through
the skin (dermal).
If you take a bath, shower or swim in a pool with
chloroform-contaminated water, it can enter your body
through inhalation and dermal contact.
Studies in humans and animals show that after you
breathe contaminated air or eat contaminated food, the
chloroform can quickly enter your bloodstream from
your lungs and intestines. Inside your body, chloroform
is carried by the blood to all parts of your body, such as
the liver, kidneys and fat cells.
Some of the chloroform that enters your body leaves
unchanged in the air you breathe out and some of it is
broken down into other chemicals. These chemicals
are known as breakdown products or metabolites, and
some of them can attach to other chemicals inside the
cells of your body and may cause harmful effects if they
collect in high enough amounts in your body. Some of
the metabolites will leave the body in the air you
breathe out and small amounts of the breakdown
products leave the body in the urine and stool.
How does chloroform affect health?
In humans, large amounts of chloroform can affect the
central nervous system (brain), liver and kidneys.
Breathing high levels for a short time can cause fatigue,
dizziness, and headache. If you breathe air, eat food,
or drink water containing elevated levels of chloroform,
over a long period, the chloroform may damage your
liver and kidneys. Large amounts of chloroform can
cause sores (lesions) when the chloroform touches
your skin.
Lab studies have shown chloroform caused
reproductive problems in animals (mice and rats).
However, there is no evidence that show whether
chloroform causes harmful reproductive effects or birth
defects in humans.
-------
Does chloroform cause cancer?
Based on animal studies, the Department of Health and
Human Services (DHHS) has determined that chloroform
may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen (a
substance that causes cancer). The International Agency
for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that
chloroform is possibly carcinogenic to humans (2B). The
EPA has also determined that chloroform is a "probable"
human carcinogen.
Results of studies of people who drank chlorinated water
showed a possible link between the chloroform in the
chlorinated water and the occurrence of cancer of the colon
and urinary bladder. Rats and mice that ate food or drank
water that had large amounts of chloroform in it for a long
period of time developed cancer of the liver and kidneys.
However, there is no evidence that shows whether
chloroform causes liver and kidney cancer in humans.
Is there a medical test to show whether
you have been exposed to chloroform?
Although we can measure the amount of chloroform in the
air you breathe out and in blood, urine, and body tissues,
we have no reliable test to determine how much chloroform
you have been exposed to or whether you will experience
any harmful health effects.
The measurement of chloroform in body fluids and tissues
may help to determine if you have come into contact with
large amounts of chloroform. However, these tests are
useful only a short time after you are exposed to chloroform
because it leaves the body quickly.
What has been done to protect human
health?
The amount of chloroform normally expected to be in the
air ranges from 0.02 to 0.05 parts of chloroform per billion
parts (ppb) of air and from 2 to 44 ppb in treated drinking
water.
Notes: The below unit of measurement will be found in the
ppb (parts per billion) range. Examples: One part per billion
(1 ppb) would be equal to having one bean in a pile of one
billion beans, or one ppb would be equal to one second of
time in 32 years.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the
level of chloroform in drinking water at 80 ppb.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) has set a permissible 50,000 ppb exposure limit
of air in the workplace during an 8-hour workday,
40-hour week.
The EPA requires chloroform spills or accidental releases
into the environment of 10 pounds or more of be reported
to the EPA.
a
xiiira
For more information contact:
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
246 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-1390
Fax: (614) 466-4556
Reference:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR). 1997. Toxicological profile for chloroform.
Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Public Health Service.
The Ohio Department of Health is in
cooperative agreement with the Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR), Public Health Service, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.
This pamphlet was created by the Ohio
Department of Health, Bureau of
Environmental Health, Health Assessment
Section and supported in whole by funds
from the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act
trust fund.
Atsdr
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES
AND DISEASE REGISTRY
Created 04/10/07
-------
Bureau of
Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
To protect and improve the health of all Ohioans"
Chlorobenzene
Answers to Frequently Asked Health Questions
What is Chlorobenzene?
Chlorobenzene is a colorless liquid with an almond-like
odor. It is a man-made chemical that you will not find
naturally in the environment.
How is Chlorobenzene used?
In the past chlorobenzene was used to make other
chemicals, such as phenol and the pesticide DDT. As
these chemicals were phased-out, U.S. production of
chlorobenzene declined by more than 60% from its peak
use in 1960 to 1987. Chlorobenzene is currently used as a
solvent for pesticide formulations, a degreaser for
automobile parts and to make other chemicals.
How are you exposed to
Chlorobenzene?
Humans can be exposed to chlorobenzene by breathing
contaminated air, by drinking contaminated water or
eating food contaminated with chlorobenzene. We can
also be exposed to chlorobenzene through the skin
(dermal) by coming into contact with contaminated soils.
These exposures are most likely to occur in the workplace
where chlorobenzene is used or near a chemical waste
site.
What happens to Chlorobenzene in
The environment?
Soils: Once spilled onto soils, evaporation and
vaporization is the main process chlorobenzene is
removed from the surface soils. In deeper soils,
chlorobenzene biodegrades (breaks down) rapidly,
after one or two weeks.
Air: Chlorobenzene evaporates into the air and quickly
breaks down by reacting with the sunlight. In the air, it
usually takes about three and a half (3 !4) days to break
down.
Water: Chlorobenzene evaporates and biodegrades
quickly and takes less than one day to break down in
water.
BT
Can Chlorobenzene make you sick?
Yes, you can get sick from exposure to chlorobenzene.
However, getting sick will depend on many factors such as:
How much you were exposed to (dose).
^ How long you were exposed (duration).
How often you were exposed (frequency).
4*- How toxic is the chemical of concern.
General Health, Age. Lifestyle
Young children, the elderly and people with chronic
(on-going) health problems are more at risk to
chemical exposures.
How can exposure to Chlorobenzene
affect my health?
Most health information about exposure to chlorobenzene
comes from animal studies where lab animals were exposed
to very high levels of the chemical. In animals, exposure to
high levels of chlorobenzene affects the brain, liver and
kidneys. Unconsciousness, tremors and restlessness have
also been observed. The chemical can cause severe injury
to the liver and kidneys.
Workers exposed to high levels of chlorobenzene
complained of headaches, numbness, sleepiness, nausea,
and vomiting. However, it is not known if chlorobenzene
alone was responsible for these health effects, since the
workers were also been exposed to other chemicals at the
same time.
It is important to keep in mind that most environmental
exposures to chlorobenzene are at much lower levels than
those in the workplace or lab studies.
References:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR). Toxicological Profile for Chlorobenzene. U.S.
Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, Atlanta, GA. December, 1990.
For more information contact:
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
(614) 466-1390
Agency for Toxic Substances
and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Toll-free at 1-888-422-8737
Atsdr
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES
AND DISEASE REGISTRY
Created December 2009
-------
ATTACHMENT F
REAC SOP #2082
-------
SsHiur Imf UiwJ /viUtyW^ui ^uftffOCt
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SOP:
Page:
Rev.
DATE:
2082
1 of 14
0.0
03/29/07
CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF PERMANENT SUB-SLAB
SOIL GAS WELLS
I.0 SCOPE AND APPLICATION
2.0 METHOD SUMMARY
3.0 SAMPLE PRESERVATION, CONTAINERS, HANDLING AND STORAGE
4.0 INTERFERENCES AND POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
5.0 EQUIPMENT/APPARATUS
6.0 REAGENTS
7.0 PROCEDURES
7.1 Probe Assembly and Installation
7.2 Sampling Set-Up
7.3 Repairing a Loose Probe
8.0 CALCULATIONS
9.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL
10.0 DATA VALIDATION
II.0 HEALTH AND SAFETY
12.0 REFERENCES
13.0 APPENDICES
CONTENTS
-------
SsHiur Imf UiwJ /viUtyW^ui ^uftffOCt
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SOP:
Page:
Rev.
DATE:
2082
2 of 14
0.0
03/29/07
CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF PERMANENT SUB-SLAB
SOIL GAS WELLS
1.0 SCOPE AND APPLICATION
This standard operating procedure (SOP) outlines the procedure used for the construction and installation of
permanent sub-slab soil gas wells. The wells are used to sample the gas contained in the interstitial spaces
beneath the concrete floor slab of dwellings and other structures.
Soil gas monitoring provides a quick means of detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the soil
subsurface. Using this method, underground VOC contamination can be identified and the source, extent and
movement of pollutants can be traced.
2.0 METHOD SUMMARY
Using an electric Hammer Drill or Rotary Hammer, an inner or pilot hole is drilled into the concrete slab to a
depth of approximately 2" with the %" diameter drill bit. Using the pilot hole as the center, an outer hole is
drilled to an approximate depth of 1% " using the 1" diameter drill bit. The 1" diameter drill bit is then
replaced with the %" drill bit. The pilot hole is drilled through the slab and several inches into the sub-slab
material. Once drilling is completed, a stainless steel probe is assembled and inserted into the pre-drilled hole.
The probe is mounted flush with the surrounding slab so it will not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic
and cemented into place. A length of Teflon® tubing is attached to the probe assembly and to a sample container
or system.
3.0 SAMPLE PRESERVATION, CONTAINERS, HANDLING AND STORAGE
3.1 SUMMA® Canister Sampling
After the sub-slab soil gas sample is collected, the canister valve is closed, an identification tag is
attached to the canister and the canister is transported to a laboratory under chain of custody for
analysis. Upon receipt at the laboratory, the data documented on the canister tag is recorded. Sample
holding times are compound dependent, but most VOCs can be recovered from the canister under
normal conditions near the original concentration for up to 30 days. Refer to REAC SOP #1704,
SUMMA Canister Sampling for more details.
3.2 Tedlar® Bag Sampling
Tedlar® bags most commonly used for sampling have a 1-liter volume capacity. After sampling, the
Tedlar® bags are stored in either a clean cooler or an opaque plastic bag at ambient temperature to
prevent photodegradation. It is essential that sample analysis be undertaken within 24 to 48 hours
following sample collection since VOCs may escape or become altered. Refer to REAC SOP #2102,
Tedlar® Bag Sampling for more details.
-------
SsHiur Imf UiwJ /viUtyW^ui ^uftffOCt
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SOP: 2082
Page: 3 of 14
Rev. 0.0
DATE: 03/29/07
CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF PERMANENT SUB-SLAB
SOIL GAS WELLS
4.0 INTERFERENCES AND POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
The thickness of a concrete slab may vary from structure to structure. A structure may also have a single slab
where the thickness varies. A slab may contain steel reinforcement (REB AR). Drill bits of various sizes and
cutting ability will be required to penetrate slabs of varying thicknesses or those that are steel-reinforced.
5.0 EQUIPMENT/APPARATUS
• Hammer Drill or Rotary Hammer
• Alternating current (AC) extension cord
• AC generator, if AC power is not available on site
• Hammer or Rotary Hammer drill bit, %"diameter
• Hammer or Rotary Hammer drill bit, l"diameter
• Portable vacuum cleaner
• 1 - 34" open end wrench or 1-medium adjustable wrench
• 2 - 9/16" open end wrenches or 2-small adjustable wrenches
• Hex head wrench, 14"
• Tubing cutter
• Disposable cups, 5 ounce (oz)
• Disposable mixing device (i.e., popsicle stick, tongue depressor, etc.)
Swagelok® SS-400-7-4 Female Connector, A" National Pipe Thread (NPT) to 'A" Swagelok®
connector
Swagelok® SS-400-1-4 Male Connector, 14 "NPT to A" Swagelok® connector
• 14" NPT flush mount hex socket plug, Teflon®-coated
• 14" outer diameter (OD) stainless steel tubing, pre-cleaned, instrument grade
W OD Teflon® tubing
Teflon® thread tape
1/s"OD stainless steel rod, 12" to 24" length
Swagelok Tee, optional (SS-400-3-4TMT or SS-400-3-4TTM)
6.0 REAGENTS
• Tap water, for mixing anchoring cement
• Anchoring cement
• Modeling clay
-------
SsHiur Imf UiwJ /viUtyW^ui ^uftffOCt
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SOP: 2082
Page: 4 of 14
Rev. 0.0
DATE: 03/29/07
CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF PERMANENT SUB-SLAB
SOIL GAS WELLS
7.0 PROCEDURES
7.1 Probe Assembly and Installation
1. Drill a %" diameter inner or pilot hole to a depth of 2" (Figure 1, Appendix A).
2. Using the %" pilot hole as your center, drill a 1" diameter outer hole to a depth of 1
Vacuum out any cuttings from the hole (Figure 2, Appendix A).
3. Continue drilling the % inner or pilot hole through the slab and a few inches into the sub-slab
material (Figure 3, Appendix A). Vacuum out any cuttings from the outer hole.
4. Determine the length of stainless steel tubing required to reach from the bottom of the outer
hole, through the slab and into the open cavity below the slab. To avoid obstruction of the
probe tube, ensure that it does not contact the sub-slab material. Using a tube cutter, cut the
tubing to the desired length.
5. Attach the measured length (typically 12") at''A" OD stainless tubing to the female connector
(SS-400-7-4) with the Swagelok® nut. Tighten the nut.
6. Insert the 14" hex socket plug into the female connector. Tighten the plug. Do not over
tighten. If excessive force is required to remove the plug during the sample set up phase,
the probe may break loose from the anchoring cement.
7. Place a small amount of modeling clay around the stainless steel tubing adjacent to the
Swaglok® nut, which connects the stainless steel tubing to the female connector. Use a
sufficient amount of modeling clay so that the completed probe, when placed in the outer
hole, will create a seal between the outer hole and the inner hole. The clay seal will prevent
any anchoring cement from flowing into the inner hole during the final step of probe
installation.
8. Place the completed probe into the outer hole. The probe tubing should not contact the sub-
slab material and the top of the female connector should be flush with the surface of the slab
and centered in the outer hole (Figure 4, Appendix A). If the top of the completed probe is
not flush with the surface of the slab, due to the outer hole depth being greater than 1
additional modeling clay may be placed around the stainless steel tubing adjacent to the
Swaglok® nut, which connects the stainless steel tubing to the female connector. Use a
sufficient amount of clay to raise the probe until it is flush with the surface of the slab while
ensuring that a portion of the clay will still contact and seal the inner hole.
-------
SsHiur Imf UiwJ /viUtyW^ui ^uftffOCt
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SOP: 2082
Page: 5 of 14
Rev. 0.0
DATE: 03/29/07
CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF PERMANENT SUB-SLAB
SOIL GAS WELLS
9. Mix a small amount of the anchoring cement. Fill the space between the probe and the
outside of the outer hole. Allow the cement to cure according to manufacturers instructions
before sampling.
7.2 Sampling Set-Up
1. Wrap one layer of Teflon® thread tape onto the NPT end of the male connector (SS-400-1-4).
Refer to Figure 5, Appendix A.
2. Remove the 'A" hex socket plug from the female connector (SS-400-7-4). Refer to Section
7.3 if the probe breaks loose from the anchoring cement during this step.
3. To ensure that the well has not been blocked by the collapse of the inner hole below the end
of the stainless steel tubing, a stainless steel rod, Va "diameter, may be passed through the
female connector and the stainless steel tubing. The rod should pass freely to a depth greater
than the length of the stainless steel tubing, indicating an open space or loosely packed soil
below the end of the stainless steel tubing. Either condition should allow a soil gas sample
to be collected.
If the well appears blocked, the stainless steel rod may be used as a ramrod in an attempt to
open the well. If the well cannot be opened, the probe should be reinstalled or a new probe
installed in an alternate location.
4. Screw and tighten the male connector (SS-400-1-4) into the female connector (SS-400-7-4).
Do not over tighten. This may cause the probe to break loose from the anchoring cement
during this step or when the male connector is removed upon completion of the sampling
event. Refer to Section 7.3 if the probe breaks loose from the anchoring cement during this
step.
5. If a collocated sub-slab sample or split sample is desired, a stainless steel Swagelok Tee (SS-
400-3-4TMT or SS-400-3-4TTM) maybe used in place of the Swagelokmale connector (SS-
400-1-4).
6. Attach a length of WOD Teflon® tubing to the male connector with a Swagelok® nut. The
Teflon® tubing is then connected to the sampling container or system to be used for sample
collection.
7. After sample collection remove the male connector from the probe and reinstall the hex
socket plug. Do not over tighten the hex socket plug. If excessive force is required to
remove the plug during the next sampling event the probe may break loose from the
-------
SsHiur Imf UiwJ /viUtyW^ui ^uftffOCt
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SOP: 2082
Page: 6 of 14
Rev. 0.0
DATE: 03/29/07
CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF PERMANENT SUB-SLAB
SOIL GAS WELLS
anchoring cement. Refer to Section 7.3 if the probe breaks loose from the anchoring cement
during this step.
7.3 Repairing a Loose Probe
1. If the probe breaks loose from the anchoring cement while removing or installing the hex
head plug or the male connector (SS-400-1-4), lift the probe slightly above the surface of
the concrete slab.
2. Hold the female connector (SS-400-7-4) with the W open end wrench.
3. Complete the step being taken during which the probe broke loose, following the instructions
contained in this SOP (i.e., Do not over tighten the hex socket plug or male connector).
4. Push the probe back down into place and reapply the anchoring cement.
5. Modeling clay may be used as a temporary patch to effect a seal around the probe until the
anchoring cement can be reapplied.
8.0 CALCULATIONS
This section is not applicable to this SOP.
9.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL
An additional collocated soil gas well is installed with the frequency of 10 percent (%) or as specified in the
site-specific Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP). The following general Quality Assurance (QA)
procedures apply:
1. A rough sketch of the area is drawn where the ports are installed with the major areas noted on the
sketch. This information may be transferred to graphing software for incorporation into the final
deliverable.
2. A global positioning system (GPS) unit may be used to document coordinates outside of a structure
as a reference point.
3. Equipment used for the installation of sampling ports should be cleaned by heating, inspected and
tested prior to deployment.
-------
SsHiur Imf UiwJ /viUtyW^ui ^uftffOCt
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SOP: 2082
Page: 7 of 14
Rev. 0.0
DATE: 03/29/07
CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF PERMANENT SUB-SLAB
SOIL GAS WELLS
10.0 DATA VALIDATION
This section is not applicable to this SOP.
11.0 HEALTH AND SAFETY
When working with potentially hazardous materials, follow Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Lockheed Martin corporate health and safety
procedures. All site activities should be documented in the site-specific health and safety plan (HASP).
12.0 REFERENCES
This section is not applicable to this SOP.
13.0 APPENDICES
A - Figures
-------
SsHiur Imf UiwJ /viUtyW^ui ^uftffOCt
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SOP: 2082
Page: 8 of 14
Rev. 0.0
DATE: 03/29/07
CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF PERMANENT SUB-SLAB
SOIL GAS WELLS
APPENDIX A
Soil Gas Installation Figures
SOP #2082
March 2007
-------
HW9IAM «MV C«tyHIWWfH*V W?§Q AfiqSVTlCQl LOfWUG?
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SOP: 2082
Page: 9 of 14
Rev. 0.0
DATE: 03/29/07
CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF PERMANENT SUB-SLAB
SOIL GAS WELLS
FIGURE 1
INNER or PILOT HOLE
T
3/8"DIAMETER INNER or PILOT HOLE
SLAB
-------
HW9IAM «MV C«tyHIWWfH*V W?§Q AfiqSVTlCQl LOfWUG?
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SOP: 2082
Page: 10 of 14
Rev.
0.0
DATE: 03/29/07
CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF PERMANENT SUB-SLAB
SOIL GAS WELLS
FIGURE 2
OUTER HOLE
SLAB
1 3/8"
< 1" DIAMETER OUTER HOLE
« 3/8"DIAMETER INNER or PILOT HOLE
-------
f ciiyHiwwiHiy Miio AnqSyriCQi LQfmuC?
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SOP: 2082
Page: 11 of 14
Rev. 0.0
DATE: 03/29/07
CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF PERMANENT SUB-SLAB
SOIL GAS WELLS
FIGURE 3
COMPLETED HOLE PRIOR to PROBE INSTALLATION
1" DIAMETER OUTER HOLE
1 3/8"
w
SLAB
Jl
< 3/8"DIAMETER INNER or PILOT HOLE
SUB-SLAB MATERIAL
-------
HW9IAM «MV C«tyHIWWfH*V W?§Q AfiqSVTlCQl LOfWUG?
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SOP: 2082
Page: 12 of 14
Rev. 0.0
DATE: 03/29/07
CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF PERMANENT SUB-SLAB
SOIL GAS WELLS
FIGURE 4
SOIL GAS PROBE INSTALLED
1/4" FLUSH MOUNT HEX SOCKET PLUG
SWAGELOK® SS-400-7-4
FEMALE CONNECTOR
1 3/8"
SLAB
SUB-SLAB MATERIAL
1" DIAMETER OUTER HOLE
ANCHORING CEMENT
1/4" SWAGELOK® NUT
< ^ MODELING CLAY
1/4" OD STAINLESS STEEL TUBING
- 3/8"DIAMETER INNER or PILOT HOLE
-------
HW9IAM «MV C«tyHIWWfH*V W?§Q AfiqSVTlCQl LOfWUG?
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SOP: 2082
Page: 13 of 14
Rev. 0.0
DATE: 03/29/07
CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF PERMANENT SUB-SLAB
SOIL GAS WELLS
FIGURE 5
SOIL GAS PROBE PREPARED
FOR SAMPLING
1/4" OD TEFLON® TUBING
SWAGELOK® SS-400-1-4
MALE CONNECTOR X
SWAGELOK® SS-400-7-4
FEMALE ADAPTER
13/8"
1" DIAMETER OUTER HOLE
ANCHORING CEMENT
H""
1/4" SWAGELOK® NUT
<—S* MODELING CLAY
SLAB
SUB-SL AB MATERIAL
1/4" OD STAINLESS STEEL TUBING
-3/8"DIAMETER INNER or PILOT HOLE
-------
SsHiur Imf UiwJ /viUtyW^ui ^uftffOCt
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SOP: 2082
Page: 14 of 14
Rev. 0.0
DATE: 03/29/07
CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF PERMANENT SUB-SLAB
SOIL GAS WELLS
FIGURE 6
SOIL GAS PROBE PREPARED
FOR SAMPLING
1/4" OD TEFLON® TUBING
1/4" OD TEFLON® TUBING
SWAGELOK® MALE TEE SS-400-3-4TTM
SWAGELOK® MALE TEE S5-400-3-4TMT
SWAGELOK® SS-400-7-4
' FEMALE ADAPTER
1" DIAMETER OUTER HOI K
1 3/8:
ANCHORING CEMENT
1/4" SWAGELOK® NUT
MODELING CLAY
SLAB
1/4" OD STAINLESS STEEL TUBING
¦ 3/8"DIAMETER INNER or PILOT HOLE
SUB-SLAB MATERIAL
-------
ATTACHMENT G
AIR SAMPLING FIELD FORM
-------
Sample Log
[Add Site Name]
[Add City, County, State]
Address:
Owner's Name:
Telephone No:
Occupant's Name (if tenant):
Telephone No:
Is resident livinQ in basement? YES I I NO ~
Sub-Slab Sample:
Start Date/Time
Barometric
Pressure
Outside
Temp
Vacuum
at Start
Sample ID#
ppbRAE VOC
Cone.
SUMMA
Canister ID
Regulator
ID
End Date/Time
Vacuum at
End
Location of Sub-Slab Sample
Indoor Air Sample:
Start Date/Time
Barometric
Pressure
Outside
Temp
Vacuum
at Start
Sample ID#
ppbRAE VOC
Cone.
SUMMA
Canister ID
Regulator
ID
End Date/Time
Vacuum at
End
Location of Indoor Air Sample
PICTURES TO BE TAKEN:
Inside basement (all 4 directions)
Sub-slab sample
Indoor air sample
Outside of residence (all 4 directions)
YES ~ NO ~
YES ~ NO ~
YES ~ NO ~
YES ~ NO ~
IF HOUSE HAS A VAPOR ABATEMENT SYSTEM:
U-Tube Manometer (inches water column)
Vacuum Reading (inches water column)
Vacuum Reading (inches water column)
Vacuum Reading (inches water column)
(ideal is greater than 1)
at location
at location
at location
(ideal digital manometer vacuum reading is at least 0.01)
TYPE OF AIR SAMPLING ~ Initial _-day post mitigation _-day post mitigation ~ Quarterly Sample
Other
Comments:
-------
ATTACHMENT H
VAPOR INTRUSION RESIDENT QUESTIONNAIRE
-------
VAPOR INTRUSION RESIDENT QUESTIONNAIRE
Preparer's Name: Date Prepared:,
Preparer's Affiliation:
1. OCCUPANT:
Interviewed: Y / N
Last Name: First Name:_
Address:
City: County: State_
Home Phone: Cell Phone:
Number of Occupants/persons at this location: Age of Occupants
2. OWNER OR LANDLORD: (Check if same as occupant )
Interviewed: Y / N
Last Name: First Name:
Address:
City: County: State_
Home Phone: Cell Phone:
Number of Occupants/persons at this location: Age of Occupants
3. BUILDING CHARACTERISTICS
Type of Building: (Circle appropriate response)
Residential School Commercial
Industrial Church Other:
l
-------
If the property is residential, type? (Circle appropriate response)
Single Family 2-Family Multi-Family Mobile Home
Apartment House Townhouse/Condo
If multiple units, how many?
If the property is commercial, what type?
Business Type(s)
Does it include residences (i.e., multi-use)? Y / N If yes, how many?
Other characteristics:
Number of Floors Building Age
5. BASEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION CHARACTERISTICS (Circle all that apply)
a. Above-grade construction: wood frame concrete stone brick
b. Is there a basement? Yes No
c. Basement type: full crawl space slab Other_
d. Basement floor: concrete dirt partial Other_
e. Foundation walls: poured block stone Other_
f. Integrity of foundation walls: good fair poor
g. The basement is: wet damp dry moldy
h. The basement is: finished unfinished partially finished
i. Integrity of basement floors: good fair poor
j. Sump present? Yes No
NOTE: Include a sketch of the basement and attach to this form.
Does anyone live in the basement? Y / N
If yes, how many people? What age(s)?
Approximate square footage of footprint of structure: (ft2)
2
-------
Basement/Lowest level depth below grade: (feet)
Identify potential soil vapor entry points and approximate size (e.g., cracks, utility ports,
drains)
6. FACTORS THAT MAY INFLUENCE INDOOR AIR QUALITY
a. Is there an attached garage? Y / N
b. Does the garage have a separate heating unit? Y / N / NA
c. Are petroleum-powered machines or vehicles Y / N / NA
stored in the garage (e.g., lawnmower, ATV, car) Please specify
d. Has the building ever had a fire? Y / N When?
e. Is a kerosene or unvented gas space heater Y / N Where?
present?
f. Is there a workshop or hobby/craft area? Y / N Where and type?
g. Is there smoking in the building? Y / N
h. Are chemicals, paints, etc stored in the basement? Y / N Types?
ANY OTHER COMMENTS
3
-------
ATTACHMENT I
USING THE TAGA MOBILE LABORATORY TO RESOLVE VAPOR INTRUSION
ISSUES
-------
Using the Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) Mobile Laboratory to Resolve
Vapor Intrusion Issues - Interpretation of Multiple Lines of Evidence for Vapor
Intrusion
David B. Mickunas
US Environmental Protection Agency/Environmental Response Team
Research Triangle Park, NC
Mickunas.Dave@epa.gov
Abstract
In recent years, vapor intrusion has been a topic of intense interest in the United
States. The number of guidance documents released on this subject has increased
dramatically from all sectors, including Environmental Protection Agency and
Department of Defense at the federal level, 26 States and several cities at the local levels,
and Interstate Technology Regulatory Council and American Petroleum Industry from
the public and/or private sector. Published information concerning the vapor intrusion
issue addresses this topic in varying degrees.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Office of
Solid Waste and Emergency Response, vapor intrusion is the migration of volatile
chemicals from the subsurface into overlying buildings. Volatile chemicals in buried
wastes and/or contaminated groundwater can emit vapors that may migrate through
subsurface soils and into indoor air spaces of overlying buildings in ways similar to that
of radon gas seeping into homes (US EPA, 2002).
The concern that the vapor intrusion pathway poses is whether an unacceptable
risk exists for the occupants. To determine the risk associated with chemicals in the
vapor intrusion pathway, confounding factors due to the presence of these chemicals
from other sources need to be qualitatively and quantitatively identified so that the
contributions from the vapor intrusion alone can be assessed. Due to the fact that risk is
compound specific and many compounds have unacceptable chronic risk levels at
extremely low concentrations, an analytical technique is needed that has high selectivity
and sensitivity as well as constant, near real-time analysis updates to accurately and
economically assess vapor intrusion sites.
1 Introduction
One of the US Environmental Protection Agency's goals is to reduce or control
the risk to human health and the environment. In order to accomplish this task, it is
necessary to determine if specific exposure pathways exist and evaluate the site to
determine whether contamination is present at levels that may pose a significant risk to
human health or the environment. One of the pathways that can contribute to exposure is
the vapor intrusion pathway.
The Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council guidance states that to define
the vapor intrusion pathway as a complete exposure pathway, a source, migration route,
and receptor must be identified. Specifically, this assessment entails the identification of
all known or suspected vapor sources of contamination; consideration of the contaminant
migration routes (mobility) including an evaluation of methods and manner of access,
-------
and identification of those likely to be affected by the contaminants (receptors) (Interstate
Technical Regulatory Council, 2007).
Moreover, the general consensus of the members in the regulatory community
who evaluate the vapor intrusion pathway is that multiple lines of evidence are needed to
ensure that the vapor intrusion pathway is complete. The multiple lines of evidence
include but are not limited to:
groundwater spatial (and vertical profiling, if appropriate) data with modeling;
soil gas spatial concentrations (and vertical profiling, if appropriate), including
subslab, with vertical profiling;
building construction and conditions;
constituent ratios; and
ambient, crawlspace, and inside air concentrations and source determinations.
This paper will focus 011 the last two elements.
The TAGA mobile laboratories have been used for nearly 25 years by the US
Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Response Team (US EPA's ERT) to
monitor for various compounds in the ambient air (Figure 1). The TAGA monitoring has
supported enforcement efforts, emergency response activities, natural disaster recovery
actions, structure decontamination operations, homeland security requirements, and
engineering design testing as well as vapor intrusion studies. Each monitoring operation
took advantage of the specificity, sensitivity, and near real-time results that are provided
by triple quadrupole technology.
Figure 1 TAGA Mobile Laboratory
During the past 10 years, the TAGA mobile laboratories have been involved with
over 70 different vapor intrusion sites involving hundreds of structures with some sites
revisited multiple times (US EPA/ERT, 2001), (US EPA/ERT, 2004), (US EPA/ERT
2008), (US EPA/ERT, 2003), (US EPA/ERT, 2001), (US EPA/ERT, 2001), (US
EPA/ERT, 2007), (US EPA/ERT, 2004). Most sites investigated had target compounds
-------
associated with halogenated hydrocarbons and petroleum compounds, with halogenated
hydrocarbon sites being the most prevalent. The TAGA system is a unique technology,
which provides extremely low concentration data for targeted compounds with updates to
the monitoring results in near real time to afford fine spatial and temporal resolution of
the output while transecting inside or outside of the structure. The detailed information
gained through the TAGA monitoring offers support for various lines of evidence to
suggest that the vapor intrusion pathway exists or not.
2 Procedure
TAGA monitoring requires a fundamental understanding of general theory of
tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, the TAGA monitoring requires certain quality
assurance operations to be performed to ensure that the data are scientifically sound.
Lastly, TAGA monitoring can be performed remotely by using a Teflon® tube to
efficiently transport the sample to the instrumentation or by directly introducing air into
the TAGA while the mobile laboratory is operated in either the stationary or mobile
mode.
2.1 Mass Spectrometer/Mass Spectrometer General Theory
The ECA TAGA He is based upon the Perkin-Elmer API 365 mass
spectrometer/mass spectrometer (MS/MS) and is a direct air-monitoring instrument
capable of detecting, in real time, trace levels of many inorganic and organic compounds
in ambient air. The technique of triple quadrupole MS/MS is used to differentiate and
quantitate compounds. The initial step in the MS/MS process involves simultaneous
chemical ionization of the compounds present in a sample of ambient air. The ionization
can produce both positive and negative ions by donating or removing one or more
electrons. The chemical ionization is a "soft" ionization technique, which allows ions to
be formed with little or no structural fragmentation. These ions are called parent ions.
The parent ions with different mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios are separated by the first
quadrupole (the first MS of the MS/MS system). The quadrupole scans selected m/z
ratios allowing only the parent ions with these ratios to pass through the quadrupole.
Parent ions with m/z ratios different than those selected are discriminated electronically
and fail to pass through the quadrupole.
The parent ions selected in the first quadrupole are accelerated through a collision
cell containing uncharged nitrogen (N2) molecules in the second quadrupole. A portion of
the parent ions entering the second quadrupole fragments as they collide with the N2
molecules. These fragment ions are called daughter ions. This process, in the second
quadrupole, is called collision-induced dissociation. The daughter ions are separated
according to their m/z ratios by the third quadrupole (the second MS of the MS/MS
system). The quadrupole scans selected m/z ratios, allowing only the daughter ions with
these ratios to pass through the quadrupole. Daughter ions with m/z ratios different than
those selected are discriminated electronically and fail to pass through the quadrupole.
Daughter ions with the selected m/z ratios are then counted by an electron multiplier.
The resulting signals are measured in ion counts per second (icps) for each
parent/daughter ion pair selected. The intensity of the icps for each parent/daughter ion
pair is directly proportional to the ambient air concentration of the compound that
produced the ion pair. All of the ions discussed in this report have a single charge. The
-------
m/z ratios of all of the ions discussed are equal to the ion masses in atomic mass units
(amu). Therefore, the terms parent and daughter masses are synonymous with parent and
daughter ion m/z ratios.
2.2 TAGA Mass Calibration
At the beginning of the sampling day, a gas mixture containing benzene, toluene,
xylene, tetrachloroethene, trichloroethene, trans-1,2-dichloroethene and vinyl chloride is
introduced by a mass flow controller into the sample air flow, and the tuning parameters
for the first quadrupole at 30, 78, 98, 106, 130 and 164 amu, and the third quadrupole at
30, 78, 91, 105, 129 and 166 amu are optimized for sensitivity and mass assignment. The
peak widths at half height are limited between 0.55 amu and 0.85 amu. The mass
assignments are set to the correct values within 0.15 amu.
2.3 TAGA Response Factor Measurements
The calibration system consists of a regulated gas cylinder with a mass flow
controller. The mass flow controller is checked with a National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) traceable flow rate meter. The calibration system is used to generate
the analytes' response factors (RFs), in units of ion counts per second per part per billion
by volume (icps/ppbv), which are then used to quantify trace components in ambient air.
The TAGA is calibrated for the target compounds at the beginning and end of the
monitoring day. The average of the beginning and end of day RFs are used to generate
the intermediate response factor (IRF) used for the final calculations of the target analyte
concentrations.
The gas cylinder standard, which contains known mixtures of target compounds,
certified by the supplier, is regulated at preset flow rates and diluted with ambient air to
give known analyte concentrations. The calibration consists of a zero point and five
known concentrations obtained by setting the mass flow controller to 0, 10, 20, 40, 80,
and 90 milliliters per minute (mL/min) with the sample air flow at 90 liters per min
(L/min). The approximate concentration range of standards introduced into the TAGA is
between 1 ppbv and 25 ppbv. The RFs are then determined by using a least-square-fit
algorithm to calculate the slopes of the curves. The coefficient of variation is checked for
each ion pair's RF to ensure that it is greater than 0.90. The software utilizes the analytes'
cylinder concentrations, gas flow rates, air sampling flow rates, and atmospheric pressure
to calculate the RFs.
2.4 Transport Efficiency
The transport efficiency and residence time for the target compounds through the
7/8 inch internal diameter, 200-foot length of corrugated Teflon® sampling hose is
determined prior to and at the conclusion of indoor air monitoring activities each day.
The transport efficiency is determined by introducing a known concentration of the target
compounds into the proximal end and then into the distal end of the sampling hose. The
signal intensity of each ion pair for each compound is measured in icps and the percent
(%) transport efficiency calculated using the equation below:
-------
signal intensity at the distal end of the hose
transport efficiency = x 100
signal intensity at the proximal end of the hose
A transport efficiency of 85% is considered acceptable. The residence time is the
interval, in seconds, it takes the air sample to travel the length of the sampling hose. The
residence time, which reflects a time difference between the sampling and the instrument
response, is incorporated in the offset. The offset, which is the total number of sequences
acquired during the residence time, is applied to the monitoring files. Therefore, the
observations and instrument responses are temporally coordinated.
2.5 TAGA Air Monitoring
TAGA air monitoring is performed in one of two configurations. The first
configuration uses a 200-foot Teflon® tube to transport the air to the instrument from a
location inside of a structure and to investigate indoor sources. The second configuration
does not require but 3 feet of tubing because the air is introduced directly into the system
from the outside through a port in the side of the bus when the TAGA laboratory is
driven along the streets and around structures to determine if outdoor ambient air sources
are adversely impacting the indoor air of a building.
2.5.1 TAGA Indoor Air Monitoring
TAGA monitoring is performed by continuously drawing air through the 200-foot
Teflon® tube at a flowrate of approximately 90 L/min The air is then passed through a
glass splitter where the pressure gradient between the mass spectrometer core and the
atmosphere causes a sample flow of approximately 10 mL/min into the ionization source
through a heated transfer line. The flow into the TAGA source is controlled so that the
ionization source pressure is maintained at an optimum value of approximately 3.4 torr.
The remaining airflow is drawn through the air pump and vented from the TAGA bus.
Monitoring is performed in the parent/daughter ion-monitoring mode. As
monitoring proceeds, the operator presses letter keys (flags), alphabetically on a
computer keyboard, to denote events or locations during the monitoring event. This
information is also recorded on an event log sheet. Additionally, the sampler, who is
moving the distal end of the Teflon® tube and in constant radio communication with the
TAGA operator, notes the flags on the schematic of the structure. The intensity of each
parent/daughter ion pair monitored by the TAGA is recorded in a permanent file on the
computer's hard drive. One set of recorded measurements of all the ion pairs is called a
sequence.
At the beginning of each unit survey or investigation, a one-minute pre-entry
ambient data segment is collected. At the operator's signal, the sampler then enters the
unit while holding the distal end of the hose at breathing height. The sampler proceeds to
each room in the unit where one-minute data segments are collected. After the rooms in
the unit are monitored, a one-minute post-exit ambient data segment is collected. Upon
completion of the one-minute post-exit ambient air segment, the instrumentation is
challenged with the calibration standard, which is introduced at 30 mL/min,
approximately 7 ppbv for the target compounds, to verify that the system is functioning
properly (Figure 2).
-------
Figure 2. TAGA Source
2.5.2 TAGA Outdoor Mobile Monitoring
The TAGA performs mobile ambient air monitoring using a 3-foot length of
corrugated Teflon® sampling hose connected to a glass transfer tube passing through the
roof of the TAGA bus. Air is continuously drawn through the Teflon® hose at a flowrate
of approximately 90 L/min. The air then passes through a glass splitter where the
pressure gradient between the mass spectrometer core and the atmosphere causes a
sample flow of approximately 10 mL/min into the ionization source through a heated
transfer line. The flow into the TAGA source is controlled so that the ionization source
pressure is maintained at an optimum value of approximately 1.6 torr. The remaining air
flow is drawn through the air pump and vented from the TAGA.
The TAGA performs air monitoring in the parent/daughter ion monitoring mode.
As the air monitoring proceeds, the operator presses the letter keys (flags) sequentially to
denote events or locations during the monitoring. This information is also recorded on the
operator's log sheet. The intensity of each parent ion/daughter ion monitored by the
TAGA, in turn, is recorded by the computer in a file on the hard disk. One set of
measurements of all the ions is called a sequence.
3 Results and Discussion
Although vapor intrusion assessments seem very straight forward theoretically, in
practical application, they can be very complex due to confounding factors that are not
intuitively obvious when investigations are conducted using traditional point sampling
and analysis. Typically, in homes that have basements, samples are collected from soil
gas beneath the sub slab, in the ambient air in basement area, and in the ambient air on the
first floor. Additionally, an outside ambient air sample is collected at the residence or in
the nearby community to determine the outside ambient air contributions to the indoor air
concentrations. Therefore, the indoor air is characterized by two samples.
-------
When the TAGA is utilized for vapor intrusion assessments in a residence, the
outside ambient air is monitored prior and subsequent to the indoor investigation for a
minimum of three minutes, which represents approximately 200 measurements.
Additionally, TAGA monitoring is conducted in every room in the basement and on the
first floor for one minute (about 60 measurements) at each location. Lastly, the TAGA
monitoring includes focusing on every drain, infrastructure (electric, gas, water, etc.) pass
through and openings in the floors and walls below ground surface for one minute at each
location. Therefore, at a structure that requires 30 minutes to complete the indoor air
monitoring, over 1800 measurements are collected for the assessment using the TAGA.
The following sections will highlight observations that the TAGA monitoring has
provided, which helped confirm or deny that vapor intrusion was an issue in a number of
structures as well as identifying possible confounding sources.
3.1 Using Compound Signature to Determine Vapor Intrusion
The Raymark Site in Stratford, CT had groundwater contaminated with
dichloroethene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane and trichloroethene. During this assignment, a
possible vapor intrusion into a children's gymnasium was investigated (schematic shown
in Figure 3) (US EPA/ERT, 2001). The concentration profile observed for
dichloroethene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and trichloroethene rose and lowered in intensity
together. Additionally, no chlorobenzene was observed above its detection level as shown
in Figure 4. The same letters (flags) are found in the schematic and on the concentration
profiles. If these compounds concentrations are found in similar ratios and the
concentration ratios of these compounds are nearly the same in other structures, these
compounds may be resulting from a common source.
AB
MN
OO
2 SUMMA!
DE
GYM
T HI
OFFICEM
BATHROOM
FURNACE-
_ STAIRS TO
OBSERVATION
DECK
FIGURE 130a
HOUSE SURVEY
UNIT 1
RAYMARK INDUSTRIES SITE
STRATFORD, CT
MAY 2001
Figure 3 Schematic of the Gymnasium
-------
DICHLOROETHENE (rayOlO)
CD
M
35
30 --
25 --
c 20-E
£ 15
10 --
5 --
DL
0.0
2.5
5.0
7.5
10.0
12.5
15.0
17.5
Time in minutes
1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANE (rayOlO)
25 --
CD
M
20 --
£ 1
& 15-
.s
^ :
5 10
0.0
2.5
5.0
7.5
10.0
12.5
15.0
17.5
Time in minutes
CHLOROBENZENE (rayOlO)
0.08
CD
M
0.07 -= QL
0.06
ft 0.05
0.04 - =
£ 0.03
0.02
0.01 -El
0.00
0.0
2.5
5.0
7.5
10.0
12.5
15.0
17.5
Time in minutes
TRICHLOROETHENE (rayOlO)
10 -E
CD
M
9 -E
7 - =
ffl
&H
c
§
3 -E
2 -E
1 -= QL
0.0
5.0
7.5
10.0
12.5
15.0
17.5
Time in minutes
Figure 4 Concentration Profiles for Dichloroethene, 1,14-Trichloroethane,
Chlorobenzene and Trichloroethene
-------
The residence adjacent to the children's gymnasium was subsequently inspected
and a schematic of this residence is shown in Figure 5. Figure 6 shows that the signature
compounds are not present at levels at or above the method detection limit in outside
ambient air. Figure 6 also shows that the concentrations of the signature compounds are
higher in the basement than on the first floor. The fact that the signature compounds are
found in the residence and the gymnastic facility, their concentration ratios are similar in
both locations, and the concentration levels are higher in the basement of the residence
(because the basement is closer to the source of the contamination than on the first floor)
suggests that these compounds are emitting from the same vapor intrusion source.
KITCHEN
LIVING
ROOM
FG
HI
KITCHEN
NOOK
JN
STAIRS TO
BASEMENT
DINING
ROOM
STAIRS TO
UPSTAIRS
DE
WD4Q
BRAKE
CLEANER
STAIRS TO
' MAIN FLOOR
FRONT CO
DOORS
FRONT
FLOOR)
AMBIENT
AB ]
FRONT (BASEMENT)
U.S. EPA ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE TEAM CENTER
RE5PDN5E ENGINEERING AND ANALYTICAL CONTRACT
60-C99-223
WE# R1ADOE01
FIGURE 131a
HOUSE SURVEY
UNIT 2
RAYMARK INDUSTRIES SITE
STRATFORD, CT
MAY 2001
Figure 5 Schematic of the Adjacent Residence
-------
DICHLOROETHENE (rayOll)
C D
M NO
6 --
0.0
2.5
5.0
7.5
10.0
12.5
15.0
17.5
Time in minutes
1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANE (rayOll)
5.0 -F-
C D
G H
M NO
4.5 -r
4.0 - =
3.5 -z
£ 3-°-=
Ph
.5 2.5 - =
3 E
e 2.0 -z
£ =
1.5 -z
10 = QL
05 = PL
0.0
15.0
0.0
2.5
5.0
7.5
10.0
12.5
17.5
Time in minutes
CHLOROBENZENE (rayOll)
0.08
C D
G H
M NO
_QL
0.07
0.06
S 0.05
Oh -
' * 0 04 -E
$ 0.03
0.02
0.01
0.00
0.0
2.5
5.0
7.5
10.0
12.5
15.0
17.5
Time in minutes
TRICHLOROETHENE (rayOll)
2.25
C D
M NO
2.00
1.75 -z
1.50
ffl e
& 1-25-E
c
5 l.oo-E
2 i
^ 0.75 -z QL
0.50
0.25 --PL
0.00
0.0
2.5
5.0
7.5
10.0
12.5
15.0
17.5
Time in minutes
Figure 6 Concentration Profiles for Dichloroethene, 1,14-Trichloroethane,
Chlorobenzene and Trichloroethene
-------
3.2 Locating Points of Entry for Vapor Intrusion
The Hopewell Precision Site in Hopewell Junction, NY had groundwater
contaminated with 1,1,1-trichloroethane and trichloroethene. During this assignment, a
bi-level residence was investigated (shown in Figure 7) (US EPA/ERT, 2004). The
concentration profiles for 1,1,1-trichloroethane and trichloroethene rose and lowered in
intensity together, which indicates a common source. During the monitoring time period,
the basement closet door was closed. Inside of this closet is where the outside plumbing
enters the residence. The trichloroethene concentration was less outdoors than inside of
the residence and reached its maximum concentration in the closet. Additionally, flags Z
and AA were associated with the tube handler's first entrance into the closet and flags LL
and MM were associated with his second entrance into the closet during which the tube
end was moved closer to the wall where the pipe passes through and into the closet. The
monitoring data suggests that the vapor intrusion was occurring through these utility
passages.
1st FLOOR
BIRD
ROOM
F G
KITCHEN
H I
BATHROOM
#1
J K
BATHROOM
#2
N O
BEDROOM
#1
l_ M
LIVING ROOM
D E
SUM MA
18274
STAIRS
S
BEDROOM
#3
R S
BEDROOM
#2
P Q
C ENTRY PR
<8>
AMBIENT
LOCATION
A B
QQ RR
BASEMENT
AMBIENT
SUMMA
18271
BATHROOM
#3
X V
FAMILY ROOM
STORAGE
ROOM
V w
LAUNDRY
ROOM
HH II
FF GG
GARAGE
JJ KK
COMPUTER
ROOM
CO
DD EE
SUMMA T U
18273
£
CO
Z AA
<8>
A *
CLOSET
I CiAMh
ROOM
BB CC
EXPANSION JOINT NN OO
LL MM
WELL PIPE
SUB SLAB
SUMMA
18272
UNIT 001
UNIT SURVEY
1st Floor and Basement
HP 1003
HOPEWELL PRECISION SITE
HOPEWELL JUNCTION, NY
Figure 7 Schematic of the Bi-level Residence
-------
1,1,1-Trichloroethane (HP1003)
1.75 --
1.50 --
1.25
>
& 1.00
S3
5 075
0.50 --
0.25 --
0.00
ABCDE G I KMOQSTUWY AA CCFF HH KK MM PP RR TT
FHJLNPR VXZBB DIEEGG IIJ LLNIfflO QQ SS
15 20 25
Time in minutes
Trichloroethene (HP1003)
25 --
ABCDE G I KMOQSTUWY AA CCFF HH KK MM PP RR TT
FHJLNPR VXZBB DIEEGGII JJ LL NKDO QQ SS
20 --
>
A
a 15
a
5
10 --
5 --
_2k.
1 " i 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 i 1 1
Hi
_I_J L_l
J_1_L
J I Li
DL
0 5
10
15 20 25
Time in minutes
30
35
40
Fieure 8 Concentration Profiles for 1.1.1-Trichloroethane and Trichloroethene
-------
3.3 Locating Lifestyle Items that Confound Vapor Intrusion Concentrations
The Hopewell Precision Site in Hopewell Junction, NY had groundwater
contaminated with 1,1,1-trichloroethane and trichloroethene. During this assignment, a
two-story residence was investigated for possible vapor intrusion and a schematic of this
residence is shown in Figure 9 (US EPA/ERT, 2004). The concentration profile observed
for 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and trichloroethene rose and lowered in intensity together as the
operator moves from location to location, except between flags L and M in the garage
where the trichloroethene rose but the 1,1,1-trichloroethene did not as shown in Figure
10.
1st FLOOR
BATHROOM
#1
J K
LIVING ROOM
D E
5 S i MM A <8>
IrH
N
s
C t
KITCHEN
H I
GARAGE
L M
DINING
ROOM
F G
W
ENTRY
AMBIENT ®
LOCATION
A B
X Y
BASEMENT
U V
*;UB 31 AH
SUMMA
19120
® Q R
SI IMMA ^
i f • 1 >i i es>
WELL PIPE
ci osf; r
1 —-
S T
> ® <
I
-------
1,14-Trichloroethane (HP1025)
ABCDEFG IJ KLMN P RSTUVWX YZAA
H O Q
L J
10.0 12.5 15.0
Time in minutes
Trichloroethene (HP1025)
ABCDEFG IJ KLMN P RSTUVWX YZAA
I
0.0 2.5
10.0 12.5 15.0
Time in minutes
Figure 10 Concentration Profiles for 1,14-Trichloroethane and Trichloroethene
-------
The residence's garage was investigated in more detail (schematic shown in
Figure 11). The concentration profile observed for 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and
trichloroethene show that the 1,1,1-trichloroethane concentration remained nearly
constant while that trichloroethene concentration rose sharply as the distal end was
passed near certain household items - flags E and F (Figure 12). Although the maximum
trichloroethene concentration was approximately 600 ppbv when the end of the tube was
near to the lifestyle material, the trichloroethene concentration obtained from monitoring
the center of the garage showed that these sources raised the room concentration to about
5 ppbv (Figure 10). The monitoring suggests that elevated levels of trichloroethene were
due to lifestyle products.
INVESTIGATION
O
D
GARAGE
o
THRUST STARTING FLUID F
SILICON LUBE SPRAY G
REMOVE LUBE SPRAY H
CONTINUING SWEEP I
SILICON LUBE SPRAY #2 J
CONTINUING SWEEP K
M
L
9 ]? - AMBIEh
A B
C - ENTER
P - EXIT
-AMBIENT
UNIT 010
UNIT INVESTIGATION
HP 1026
HOPEWELL PRECISION SITE
HOPEWELL JUNCTION, NY
Figure 11 Schematic of the Two Story Residence
-------
1,1,1-Trichloroethane (HP1026)
•S 0.6
'2 0.5
0.0
2.5
5.0
7.5
10.0 12.5
Time in minutes
15.0
17.5
20.0
22.5
Trichloroethene (HP1026)
700 --
600 --
500
>
& 400 +
'S 300 --
200 --
100 --
A B CD E FG H IJ K L M N
O Q R S T
P
'PI ' ' I ' ' L-1 I 1-1-1/ iV-Ji i W-Vi i\j—I—|—L I I I ,|_l _L I _L | i i i ^-i | i i ^ i | i
DL I I
0.0 2.5 5.0 7.5 10.0 12.5 15.0 17.5 20.0 22.5
Time in minutes
figure 12 Concentration Profiles for 1,14-Trichloroethane and Trichloroethene
-------
3.4 Locating Adjoining Structure Sources that Confound Vapor Intrusion
Concentrations
The Parker Solvent Company Site in Little Rock, AR had groundwater
contaminated with various solvents. During this assignment, possible vapor intrusion
into a government building, which is located across the street from the solvent facility,
was investigated (Figure 13) (US EPA/ERT 2008). Initially, the Arkansas Department of
Transportation office, which is on the right of the schematic, was examined. The
concentration profiles observed for xylene and tetrachloroethene intensity profiles were
similar and no detectable concentrations of trichloroethene were observed (Figure 14).
POLICE
OFFICE
BATHROOM
IM
FLOOR _
DRAIN HQ
FURNACE
ROOM
pa
STORAGE
ROOM
RS
KITCHEN AREA
HI
OFFICE 4
Til
ELECTRICAL
OUTLET ®
vw
SUB-SLAB PORT ®
OFFICE 3
JK
OFFICE 2
F6
OFFICE 1
DE
4*
ENTER
AMBIENT
LOCATION
AB
®
YZ
UNIT 004 SURVEY ONE
PSC010
PARKER SOLVENTS COMPANY SITE
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
Figure 13 Schematic of the Government Building
-------
Xylene (PSC010)
-"-I1 i | i i i i | i i i i | i i i i | i i i i | i i i i | i i i
10 15 20 25 30 35
Time in minutes
40 45
Trichloroethene (PSC010)
CDEFGI JKMNOPQ RS TUWXYZA1B1
H L V
S£L-
+ DL
10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Time in minutes
Tetrachloroethene (PSC010)
10.0 --
Time in minutes
Figure 14 Concentration Profiles for Xylenes, Trichloroethene, Tetrachloroethene
-------
After sampling the government building, the police office space in the same
building, which is on the left of the schematic (Figure 15), was examined. As shown in
Figure 16, the concentration profiles observed for xylene and tetrachloroethene rose and
lowered in intensity together and no detectable concentrations of trichloroethene are
present. Notice that the concentrations in Figure 16 are higher than Figure 14. Firearms
were frequently cleaned in this police office space. This cleaning operation contaminated
the Arkansas Department of Transportation office because vapors from the cleaning
operation migrated through the common wall.
POLICE
OFFICE
-4
BATHROOM
FLOOR
DRAIN
FURNACE
ROOM
STORAGE
ROOM
KITCHEN AREA
OFFICE 4
ELECTRICAL
OUTLET ®
SUB-SUB PORT <
OFFICE 3
OFFICE 2
OFFICE 1
E
ENTER
AMBIENT
LOCATION
AB
®
Fi
UNIT 004 SURVEY TWO
PSC011
PARKER SOLVENTS COMPANY SITE
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
Figure 15 Schematic of the Government Building
-------
40
35
30
s> 25
&
&
.5 20 -E
w
5 15
10
5
0
Xylene (PSC011)
A BCD EF GH
:QL
../HJVjJ l l l l I
J _L, _I 1„ .L^L^4=
¦~iJ i | i i i i i
0.0
2.5
5.0
7.5 10.0
Time in minutes
12.5
15.0
Trichloroethene (PSC011)
A BCD
G H
7 •
6 ¦
>
& 5 -
&
i 4
5 3 ¦
2 -
1
0
-=QL
0.0
2.5
5.0
7.5 10.0
Time in minutes
12.5
15.0
Tetrachloroethene (PSC011)
=
A
B C
D
E F
G
H
I
-Qb , ,
i i i
1 i A Ai 1
V-.J i i
i i i r
i i i i
i i i i i
60
50
& 40
30
20
10
0
0.0
2.5
5.0
7.5 10.0
Time in minutes
12.5
15.0
Figure 16 Concentration Profiles for Xylenes, Trichloroethene, Tetrachloroethene
-------
3.4 Locating Adjacent Structure Sources that Confound Vapor Intrusion
Concentrations
The Armen Cleaners Site in Ann Arbor, MI has a dry cleaners in active
operations. The cleaners had previously improperly disposed of used tetrachloroethene
on the ground in the back lot. It is believed that these disposal practices contaminated the
soil and could be a source for vapor intrusion into the adjacent residences. During this
assignment, a multi-unit apartment building adjacent to the cleaners was investigated
(schematic shown in Figure 17) (US EPA/ERT, 2003).
The TAGA monitoring was performed on two different dates (Figure 17, 18, 19,
and 20). On the first day of monitoring, the wind was from the east at 13 miles per hour
and the apartment building was directly downwind of the cleaners. During this
monitoring period, elevated concentrations of tetrachloroethene were observed as shown
in Figure 18. Spikes of tetrachloroethene were observed between the locations denoted
by letters B and C, K and L (the tubing was moved outside before entering the basement),
and T and U in the concentration profile. This is consistent with the sampler being
outside of the apartment building in the ambient air. Therefore, the contamination on the
site of the dry cleaners was contaminating the outside ambient air subsequently impacting
the indoor air of the apartment building. Therefore the elevated concentrations were not
due to vapor intrusion.
1st FLOC ~
Entry ,%t #3
X Y
' U BB;
Kitchen #2
Bathroom #2
Z AA„
thing Room *2
v w
Bathroom
HI
Kit&m
FG
Is)
Living Room
A B ^
CC DD'
_ Ambiwt
Location
Bethxwn
J K
Stai'sTo. ,
JC,
y Apt.
Y Z TAGAHoua# Survey Flags
¦-•! Sufr-Sfeb Tedler Bag Sampl^
l.s j Sum ma 24-Hour Sample
BASEMENT
Store Room #2
PQ
Store Room #1
NO
* f
HOUSE SURVEY
Unit A COOS
ARMMQ20
Armen Cleaners Site
Ann Arbor, Ml
Wind Northeast @ 13 rr ph
F jgure 7a H ouse Survey in Unit AC -00 5 „ ARMN020
Figure 17 Schematic of the Apartment Building
-------
Trichloroethene (ARMN020)
CDE G IJK LMOPQ STUWYAACC DDEE FF
FH N R VXZBB
lit niiiiiMiiifml i I i ill if l i
I I I I I xl U I I I i1 l'U«U II. u Mil i iMli I
15 20
Time in minutes
Tetrachloroethene (ARMN020)
90 -= a B
CDE G IJK LMOPQ STUWYAACC DDEE FF
FH N R VXZBB
70
> 60
ft
ft
fl 50
'3 40
£
30 - =
20
10
111 1 i 1 11 1 i 1 11 1 i 1 1 11 i 1 11 1 1
t
DL
10 15 20
Time in minutes
30
Figure 18 Concentration Profiles for Tetrachloroethene and Trichloroethene
-------
On the second day of monitoring, the wind was from the northeast at 12 miles per
hour. The apartment building (schematic shown in Figure 19) was off center from being
directly downwind of the cleaners but was still being impacted with elevated
concentrations of tetrachloroethene, however at a much reduced level. The highest
concentrations for tetrachloroethene were observed on the first floor of east apartment
nearest to the cleaners between flags X and DD. Although the indoor concentrations are
higher than the outside, it is still considered that the outdoor air is responsible for
impacting the inside air because the local wind direction were changing, the dry cleaning
processes are not always operating at steady state conditions and the apartment air
concentration has lag time for the infiltration from outside air to occur. Lastly, vapor
intrusion doesn't appear to be the main source of contamination, since the first floor has a
considerably greater tetrachloroethene concentration than the basement.
>
a
>
1st FLOOR
ACSC005C 2( :
Entry Apt. #2
WDD
Kitchen
#2
BB CC
Bathroom #2
Z AA
Living Room #2
x Y
Bathroom
H I
Kitchen
FG
Bedroom
J K
J
ACSCGQ5B 2
Stairs To
Basement?
l±
Living Room
DE
Jc^
AB
KK Li/
..Ambient
Location
Entry Apt. #1
YZ TAGA House Survey Flags
1/1 Sui>Slab Tedlar Bag Sampi^
I sj Sun ma 24-Hour Sample
BASEMENT
FF GGC
R ^ HH il
Store Room #2
PQ TU
Cs)ACSC0Q5A„2
Store Room #1
NO
Laundry Room
L M iS§) r s
Stairs To
Floor Drain 1st Roor
Pipe
£—Window
North
HOUSE SURVEY
Unit A COOS
ARMNQ43
Armen Cleaners Site
Ann Arbor, Ml
Wind North @ 12 mph
Figure 16a House Survey in Unit AC-005, ARMN048
Figure 19 Schematic of the Apartment Building
-------
Tetrachloroethene (ARMN048)
9
8
7
6
>
xi
ft 5
6
4 --
3
2
1
0
ABCEGIKLMOQS TUVWYAADDFFHH JJKK MM
DFHJ NPR X ZBB CCEE GGII LL NN
iu llil.itiujLJL k iirtMuijf
I I I I I I I™ I I I Villi I I I I Wl I I I W I IjJlLlJ IMI T
15 20 25
Time in minutes
30
35
Trichloroethene (ARMN048)
3.0
2.5 --
X)
a
a
a
5
1.5 --
1.0 --
0.5 --
AB C E G I KLM OQ S TUVWYAADDFFHH JJKK MM
DFHJ NPR X ZBB CCEE GGII LL NN
PL
DL
0.0
10
15 20 25
Time in minutes
30
35
Figure 20 Concentration Profiles for Tetrachloroethene and Trichloroethene
-------
In order to locate the source(s) of the ambient air tetrachloroethene concentration,
the TAGA was operated in the mobile mode. The TAGA traveled along the streets
adjacent to the cleaners both upwind and downwind (Figure 21). The wind was from the
northeast direction at about 10 miles per hour. Tetrachloroethene was observed only
when the TAGA was downwind of the cleaners. No other sources were observed during
the mobile monitoring. The highest outdoor concentration monitored on the street was
about 25 ppbv at flag B on the corner of W. Mosley Street and S. 1st Street.
it ? Apartment
^Building
Figure 21 Mobile Monitoring Path around Armen Cleaners
-------
Tetrachloroethene (ARMN022)
30 --
A B
C
D E
G H I
K
M N
O
25 --
> 20 --
•a
a
a
'3
10
0 1 1 J
I I I 1.J ¦ J.,..I.. ..J. VI .1 .1. , I. ..J ..l. I I, .a
i i 'I——i
7.5 10.0
Time in minutes
Figure 22 Concentration Profile for Tetrachloroethene
3.5 Locating Accidental/Intentional Released Sources that Confound Vapor
Intrusion Concentrations
At the Tranguch Site in Hazleton, PA, a gasoline spill occurred around 1990.
Because of the size of the spill and the local geology, there was concern that a completed
pathway for vapor intrusion may exist. Numerous residences throughout the potentially
affected area were monitored. One of the residences was monitored with the TAGA on
four occasions (US EPA/ERT, 2001), (US EPA/ERT, 2001). For the first three TAGA
monitoring events, the target compounds, benzene, toluene, and xylene, had very similar
concentration profiles. One such set of concentration profiles from the residence is
shown with an approximate maximum concentration of 0.5 ppbv for benzene, 5 ppbv for
toluene, and 2 ppbv for xylene (Figure 23). However, on the fourth monitoring, all of the
target compound concentrations were extremely elevated near the source of
contamination with an approximate maximum concentration of 900 ppbv for benzene,
5000 ppbv for toluene, and 2000 ppbv for xylene as shown in Figure 24. The TAGA
monitoring found that the source of the target compounds was a floor drain of the main
room in the basement. Due to the very high concentrations observed, it was considered
that gasoline spill might have gotten into this drain prior to the monitoring with the
TAGA. Additionally, the TAGA mobile laboratory has a gas chromatograph with a mass
selective detector (GC/MS). A gas sample was collected directly above the liquid in the
drain and analyzed. The GC/MS confirmed the presence of the target compounds but
also detected lightweight hydrocarbons that are associated with gasoline. However, these
lightweight hydrocarbons would not be available in weathered gasoline, which was
associated with the 10 year old spill at the site. Therefore, the target compounds
measured in the drain were not from vapor intrusion but were from freshly spilled
gasoline.
-------
BENZENE (HAZ4291)
5.0
ST U W YZ AA BB CC EE FF HH
V X DD GG II
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
- HL
2.5
2.0
1.0
0.5
0.0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Time In Minutes
TOLUENE (HAZ4291)
ST U W YZ AA BB CC EE FF HH
V X DD GG II
7
c
D
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Time In Minutes
XYLENE (HAZ4291)
= A B C D EF G I J K M O P Q ST U W YZ AA BB CC EE FF
= HLNRVX DD GG
=ql rT,.. ^
HH
II
A
^pi>w^y/\ , , r , ^ ^
Time In Minutes
Figure 23 Concentration Profiles for Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene
-------
BENZENE (HAZ6039)
1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
B C E G I K M O QR S T U W Y AA CC EE GG II JJ KK LL MM
DFHJLNP VXZBB DD FF HH
_LDL
i i i I i i i i I i i i i /] ¦ i i | u i i i | i i i i
10
15
Time In Minutes
20
25
30
TOLUENE (HAZ6039)
A BCEGI KMO QR S T U W Y AA CC EE GG II JJ KK LL MM
DFHJLNP VXZBB DD FF HH
-0
§ 5
VI
3
0
X 4
H
!P -
CM j
Ph
fl
J3 2 +
_J2L_
J I I | I I I I | I I I I j l I I | L I I I | I I I I | U
5 10 15 20 25 30
Time In Minutes
XYLENE (HAZ6039)
2250 -E
2000
1750
ffl 1500 - =
Ph
g 1250 -E
C/5 _
iooo -E
750 - =
500 - =
250 -E
0
6
BCEGI KMO QR S T U W Y AA CC EE GG II JJ KK LL MM
DFHJLNP VXZBB DD FF HH
/
~ i i i | i i i i | i i i i | i ' ' I i i i
i i i i I i I
0
15
Time In Minutes
Figure 24 Concentration Profiles for Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene
-------
At the Tarawa Terrace Primary School (US EPA/ERT, 2007) on the Camp
Lejeune Marine Corps Base in Jacksonville, NC, there was a concern that vapor intrusion
from the ABC Dry Cleaners Site was impacting the school. The distance between the dry
cleaners and the school was over 1000 feet. The TAGA monitoring was conducted
throughout the school, including the boiler room, during the school's summer recess. On
the monitoring day, the school's maintenance staff was performing needed and
preventative operations. One of the functions carried out by the workers was to service
the boiler room equipment (schematic shown in Figure 25). More specifically, the
workers cleaned the electrical contacts on the boiler's control unit. The cleaner contained
trichloroethene and no tetrachloroethene. The dry cleaners used tetrachloroethene.
Figure 26 shows the concentration profiles from the TAGA monitoring which indicate
that the only target compound present was trichloroethene. Therefore, the trichloroethene
vapors in the indoor ambient air were the results of the electrical contact cleaner being
used and the elevated concentration observed in the sumps were the residuals that were
washed down into them.
BATHROOM
AB
AMBIENT LOCATION ®
II
DRY
STORAGE
CONDUIT
O FLOOR DRAIN 2
FLOOR DRAIN 1 J* ®
® HI
FG
BOILER ROOM
DE
ENTRY
FLOOR DRAIN 4
®
NO
FLOOR DRAIN 5
FLOOR
DRAIN 3
LM
SUMP
® ~
PI IS
UNIT 001 SURVEY THREE
ABC012
ABC ONE HOUR CLEANERS
JACKSONVILLE, NC
Figure 25 Schematic of the School's Boiler Room
-------
Trichloroethene (ABC012)
10 -F
9
>
X)
a
a
a
5
= A
7 " =
6 -E
5 - =
4
3
2 - =
1
0
B C EF G I
D H
J K M OP Q
L N R
' ' I 1 1 1 '""I 1
"-I"1'-1 1 ' I 1
¦i".
U V
w
' ' ^ 'I . I I I 11 I I I I t
DL
0.0
2.5
5.0
10.0 12.5
Time in minutes
15.0
17.5
20.0
22.5
Tetrachloroethene (ABC012)
>
"ft o
&
a
0.40 - =
5 °
0
0
0
0
= A
0.30 - =
-= QL
B CEFGI JK MOPQS
D H L N R
T U V W
= DL
nrrwifi
la
i i i i i i i
0.0 2.5
5.0
7.5
10.0 12.5 15.0
Time in minutes
17.5
20.0
22.5
Figure 26 Concentration Profiles for Trichloroethene and Tetrachloroethene
-------
3.5 Contributions from the Presence of Contaminated Groundwater in Indoor
Spaces as Sources that Confound Vapor Intrusion Concentrations
At the Valmont Trichloroethene Site in Hazleton, PA, a factory adjacent to a
neighborhood had a release of trichloroethene that contaminated the groundwater (US
EPA/ERT, 2004). A residence in this neighborhood was monitored twice. During the
first monitoring of this residence (schematic shown in Figure 27) the meteorological
conditions for the previous 24 hours were a rainfall of 0.9 inches and an average wind
speed of about 5 miles per hour. Additionally, the sump in the basement had water in it.
When the TAGA monitoring was conducted at the sump, the trichloroethene
concentration was nearly 120 ppbv. These concentration profiles are shown in Figure 28.
Additionally, the basement trichloroethene concentration was about 1 ppbv.
1st FLOOR
DEN
P Q
SUN ROOM
J K
L M
KITCHEN
H I
LAUNDRY
DINING ROOM
F G
BB CC
GARAGE
FLOOR ® DD EE
DRAIN
108735
18906
C 4 FF
ENTRY
BASEMENT
AMBIENT
A B GG HH
SHELF
Z AA
BASEMENT
T U
m
o;
«c
COMPUTER
ROOM
R S
SUMMA
108677
18907
V W
WELL PIPE ~
<8>
X Y
SUMP ®
UNIT 220
SURVEY
1st Floor Floor and Basement
VAL2049
Valmont TCE Site
West Hazleton, PA
Figure 27 Schematic of the Residence
-------
Trichloroethene (VAL2049)
125
100--
475
Oh
Q-
5 50-
25 -
ABCDE GHIJKM OPQ RSTUWY ZAA CC EE GGHHII JJ
F L N V X BB DD FF
QL I I L
J I I L
J I I L
''''
H—I—I—L
J I I I 1 Til | L
DL
0
10
15 20
Time in minutes
25
30
Figure 28 Concentration Profile for Trichloroethene
During the second monitoring of this residence (schematic shown in Figure 29) the
meteorological conditions over the previous 24 hours were a rainfall of 1.9 inches and an
average wind speed at about 25 miles per hour. The sump in the basement was dry even
though it had recently rained. When the TAGA monitoring was conducted at the sump,
the trichloroethene concentration was only 20 ppbv as shown in Figure 30. Additionally,
the basement trichloroethene concentration was about 0.5 ppbv. The results from these
two monitoring events suggest that when contaminated groundwater is in the sump the
target compound's indoor air concentration can be elevated. Moreover, this situation is
not technically vapor intrusion but volatilization of the target compound from the water
in the sump.
-------
SG 220-2B (4')
<8> 17063
1st FLOOR.
<8>
DEN
N O
SUN ROOM
L M
KITCHEN
J K
LAUNDRY
^ AREA
DINING ROOM
F G
Z AA
GARAGE
BB CC <8> FLOOR
DRAIN
Q?
BATHROOM
H I
D E
LIVING ROOM
SUMMA
108538
16997
<8>
ci f
Si5
s
C A DD
ENTRY
SG 220-2F (12')
17061
BASEMENT
<8>
AMBIENT
A B EE FF
SHELF
BASEMENT
R S
CO
£
£
CO
SUMMA <8>
108697
16998
WELL PIPE
T U
COMPUTER
ROOM
P Q
V W
X Y
SUMP ®
NOTE: (X') = DISTANCE FROM FOUNDATION
UNIT 220-2
SURVEY
1st Floor and Basement
VAL2061
Valmont TCE Site
West Hazleton, PA
Figure 29 Schematic of the Residence
-------
22.5
20.0
17.5
15.0
>
a i2.5
_c
.-§ 10.0
7.5
5.0
2.5
0.0
Figure 30 Concentration Profile for Trichloroethene
4 Conclusion
Vapor intrusion assessments can be confounded by a number of factors but the
proper evaluation of the matter can be accomplished by employing the proper instruments
and techniques that provide good spatial and temporal resolution with the needed
sensitivity and selectivity. The TAGA can provide rapid, accurate, reliable, and cost
effective analytical information for monitoring indoor and outdoor ambient air. These
results can be used to measure current impact and locate source of pollution. These
accurate assessments of target chemical concentrations in the vapor intrusion pathway
can be used in risk assessment operations to protect human health.
5 Reference
Interstate Technical Regulatory Council (ITRC), "Guidance Vapor Intrusion Pathway: A
Practical Guideline," January 2007.
US EPA/ERT, Final Analytical TAGA Report - 08 February through 30 March 2001,
Tranguch Site, Hazleton, PA, August 2001.
US EPA/ERT, Final Analytical TAGA Report - 02 April through 23 May 2001,
Tranguch Site, Hazleton, PA, August 2001.
US EPA/ERT, Final Analytical TAGA Report - ABC One Hour Cleaners, Jacksonville,
NC, August 2007.
US EPA/ERT, Final Analytical TAGA Report - Hopewell Precision Site, Hopewell
Junction, NY, April 2004.
US EPA/ERT, Final Analytical TAGA Report - Parker Solvents Company Site, Little
Rock, AR, July 2008.
US EPA/ERT, Final Report - Armen Cleaners Site, 02 June to 05 June 2003, Ann Arbor,
MI, July 2003.
Trichloroethene (VAL2061)
A B C D E G IJ KL MN O P Q S UV W Y Z AA CC EEFF GGHH
F H R T X BB DD
QL I I I I I I I I - I J 1 1 ].y~|—ur-t-H—i—H I H-^i I | I I L
DL
0 5
J I Ll L
10
15 20
Time in minutes
25 30
-------
US EPA/ERT, Final Report - Raymark Industries Site, Stratford, CT, June 2001.
US EPA/ERT - Final Report - Valmont TCE Site, 03 Through 15 November 2003, West
Hazleton, PA, January 2004.
US EPA, "OSWER Draft Guidance for Evaluating the Vapor Intrusion to Indoor Air
Pathway from Groundwater and Soils (Subsurface Vapor Intrusion Guidance)," EPA530-
D-02-004, November 2002.
-------
ATTACHMENT J
EXAMPLE DATA MANAGEMENT EXCEL SPREADSHEET
-------
Sampling Summary
[Site Name]
[City, County, State]
Subject
Property
Comments
Owner's Name
Owner's Address
Owner's Phone
Number
EPA
Access
Approved
(YIN)
Tennant
Occupied
(YIN)
Updated on 9/28/2010
Page 1 of 4
-------
Sampling Summary
[Site Name]
[City, County, State]
Subject
Property
Tenant Name
Tenant Phone
Number
EPA
Access
Approved
(YIN)
Date Collected
Sub-Slab
Sample
Sample #
Analyte
Sub-Slab
Result
(PPbv)
Date Collected
Indoor Air
Sample
Sample #
Updated on 9/28/2010
Page 2 of 4
-------
Sampling Summary
[Site Name]
[City, County, State]
Subject
Property
Analyte
Initial Indoor
Air Result
(PPbv)
Date SSDS
System
Installed
Date
Collected
Post
T reatment
Sub-Slab
Sample
(30 days)
Sample #
Analyte
Post
T reatment
Sub-Slab
Result
(30 days)
(PPbv)
Date Collected
Post
T reatment
Indoor Air
Sample
(30 days)
Sample #
Updated on 9/28/2010
Page 3 of 4
-------
Sampling Summary
[Site Name]
[City, County, State]
Subject
Property
Analyte
Post
T reatment
Indoor Air
Sample
Result
(30 days)
(PPbv)
Date
Collected
Post
T reatment
Sub-Slab
Sample (90
days)
Sample #
Analyte
Post
T reatment
Sub-Slab
Result
(90 days)
(PPbv)
Date Collected
Post T reatment
Indoor Air Sample
(90 days)
(PPbv)
Sample #
Analyte
Updated on 9/28/2010
Page 4 of 4
-------
ATTACHMENT K
SAMPLE RESULT LETTER (NO FURTHER ACTION)
-------
%
0 — * UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
\
ISIS,
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
February 1, 2009
John Smith (owner)
123 Main Street
Dayton, Ohio 45404
Dear Mr. Smith:
The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the results of the sub-slab (the space under
your basement floor) and indoor air samples collected from your property on January
15, 2009. As you know, the U.S. EPA collected these samples to see if soil vapors from
the ABC Piant are moving through the soils and entering the air inside your property.
We are specifically testing for the presence of trichloroethylene (also known as TCE),
which has been detected in the groundwater under the neighborhood.
TCE is known as a volatile organic compound (VOC), which means it can easily
evaporate (turn from a liquid to a gas) when it is exposed to the soil or air. TCE has the
potential, as vapors, to move through the soils and work their way into building
substructures, such as basements, where it can accumulate in the indoor air.
The results for the sub-slab and indoor air samples collected at your property are
presented below and are identified as "Detected" where TCE was found in the samples.
"ND" (no detection) is used when there is a chemical concentration less than the
laboratory's minimum detection limit (the laboratory's minimum detection limit is written
below in parentheses). The air samples are measured in units called parts per billion by
volume (ppbv). Following the result for each sample is the "screening level" for the
chemical. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has recommended the screening
levels for sub-slab and indoor air.
Sub-Slab Sampling Results:
TCE: 1.2 ppbv, ODH recommended screening level: 4 ppbv
The results from the sub-slab air sample collected at your property show that the
chemical TCE was detected at 1.2 ppbv, which is below the sub-slab screening level
recommended by the ODH.
Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov
RecyctayRtcycliblt • Printed with Vegetable OU Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 25% Postconsumer)
-------
Indoor Air Sampling Results:
TCE: ND (0.15) ppbv, ODH recommended screening level: 0.4 ppbv
The results from the indoor air sample collected at your property show that the
chemical TCE was not detected (ND) greater than 0.15 ppbv, which is below the indoor
air screening level recommended by the ODH.
Based on the laboratory results of the sub-slab and indoor air samples collected from
your property, the U.S. EPA and ODH conclude that no further action is necessary at
your property.
If you have health-related questions concerning this matter, please contact Dr. [Insert
Name] at the Ohio Department of Health at 614-123-4567. If you have questions
related to the sampling or on-going site investigation, please feel free to contact me at
513-569-7539.
Sincerely,
Steven L. Renninger
On-Scene Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 5
Attachments: Analytical Results
ODH Fact Sheets (3)
-------
ATTACHMENT L
MEETING REMINDER FORM
-------
Meeting Reminder Form
MEETING TIME:
Date:
Time:
Location: EPA Command Post - fedd address!
U. S. EPA Notes and Reminders:
1) U.S. EPA will be discussing your property air sampling results
2) The meeting should last 15 minutes.
3) U.S. EPA will be offering to install, at not cost to you, a vapor abatement
mitigation system on your property.
4) At the meeting, U.S. EPA will set up a future date for its vapor abatement
installation contractor to meet with the owner at the property to assess the
basement of the property to determine the layout of the system.
5) At the meeting to determine the layout of the system, U.S. EPA and the owner of
the property will agree on the installation date of the vapor abatement mitigation
system.
6) As a courtesy, please be on time for your appointment.
7) If you have to reschedule your appointment or have any questions, please
contact U.S. EPA's technical contractor as soon as possible at 937-123-4567 OR
come to the U.S. EPA Command Post located at , M-F 9am-
5pm.
-------
ATTACHMENT M
SAMPLE RESULT LETTER (MITIGATION REQUIRED)
-------
%
0 — * UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
\
ISIS,
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
February 1, 2009
John Smith (owner)
123 Main Street
Dayton, Ohio 45404
Dear Mr. Smith:
The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the results of the sub-slab (the space under
your basement floor) and indoor air samples collected from your property on January
15, 2009. As you know, the U.S. EPA collected these samples to see if soil vapors from
the ABC Piant are moving through the soils and entering the air inside your property.
We are specifically testing for the presence of trichloroethylene (also known as TCE),
which has been detected in the groundwater under the neighborhood.
TCE is known as a volatile organic compound (VOC), which means it can easily
evaporate (turn from a liquid to a gas) when it is exposed to the soil or air. TCE has the
potential, as vapors, to move through the soils and work their way into building
substructures, such as basements, where it can accumulate in the indoor air.
The results for the sub-slab and indoor air samples collected at your property are
presented below and are identified as "Detected" where TCE was found in the samples.
The air samples are measured in units called parts per billion by volume (ppbv).
Following the result for each sample is the "screening level" for the chemical. The Ohio
Department of Health (ODH) has recommended the screening levels for sub-slab and
indoor air.
Sub-Slab Sampling Results:
TCE: 12,000 ppbv, ODH recommended screening level: 4 ppbv
The results from the sub-slab air sample collected at your property show that the
chemical TCE was detected at 12,000 ppbv, which is greater than the sub-slab
screening level recommended by the ODH.
Indoor Air Sampling Results:
TCE: 35 ppbv, ODH recommended screening level: 0.4 ppbv
The results from the indoor air sample collected at your property show that the
chemical TCE was detected at 35 ppbv, which is greater than the indoor air screening
level recommended by the ODH.
Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov
RecyctayRtcycliblt • Printed with Vegetable OU Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 25% Postconsumer)
-------
The sub-slab and indoor air exceedances do not necessarily mean that you will
experience health effects, only that there is a need for the installation of a vapor
abatement mitigation system and additional follow-up proficiency sampling. U.S. EPA
will be contacting you in the near future about scheduling the installation of a vapor
abatement mitigation system designed to lower the levels of VOCs in the indoor air.
If you have health-related questions concerning this matter, please contact Dr. [enter
name] at the Ohio Department of Health at 614-123-4567. If you have questions related
to the sampling or on-going site investigation, please feel free to contact me at 513-569-
Steven L. Renninger
On-Scene Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 5
Attachments: Analytical Results
ODH Fact Sheets (3)
7539.
Sincerely,
cc: Site File
-------
ATTACHMENT N
POWERPOINT SLIDES USED TO EXPLAIN SAMPLING AND SSDS
-------
Sub-Slab & Indoor Air Sampling
Step 1- Sub-Slab Sampling
Step 2- Indoor Sampling
-------
Vapor Abatement Mitigation System
(Sub-Slab Depressurization System or SSDS)
i
Fan
Step 3- SSDS
Installation, if
necessary
Contamination
-------
Vapor Abatement System
Post Installation Verification Air Sampling at and days
-------
ATTACHMENT O
RESIDENTIAL VAPOR ABATEMENT SYSTEM O&M AGREEMENT
-------
^osr%
# \
\$S&)
NAME: John Smith
ADDRESS: 123 Main Street
Dayton, Ohio 45404
PHONE: 937-123-4567
PROPERTY OWNER: X TENANT
Re: [Enter Site Name] - Residential Vapor Abatement System O&M Agreement
On April 1, 2009, the U.S. EPA completed sub-slab and indoor air sampling at 123 Main
Street as part of the investigation at the [Enter Site Name] located in Dayton, Ohio. The
purpose of this letter is to inform you that trichloroethylene (TCE) was observed to be
present at a concentration of 12,000 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) and 35 ppbv,
respectively, which are greater than the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR) and Ohio Department of Health (ODH) sub-slab and indoor air TCE
screening levels of 4.0 and 0.4 ppbv, respectively.
As part of the U.S. EPA time-critical removal action at the [Enter Site Name], the U.S.
EPA proposes to install a vapor abatement system in residences with elevated TCE
concentrations in the residential sub-slab and indoor air. If the system is accepted by
the property owner, the U.S. EPA will purchase the vapor abatement system and pay
for the basic costs of installation1. The U.S. EPA has arranged for [Enter ERRS Name]
to install a vapor abatement system in your home designed to vent TCE vapors to below
the recommended indoor air screening levels established by ATSDR and the ODH. The
vapor abatement system includes PVC piping and an inline fan to vent vapors from
below the residence foundation to above the roofline.
Following the installation of the residential vapor abatement system, performance
sampling will be conducted by the U.S. EPA to ensure that the residential indoor air
quality is below the ATSDR and ODH screening level for TCE. Performance sampling
will be conducted at days and days after system installation. The U.S. EPA will
provide the property owner a system information binder that will include a description of
the vapor abatement system, photographs, sample data, and fan warranty information.
Following successful performance sampling of the residential vapor abatement system,
operation & maintenance (O&M) of the vapor abatement system will be the property
owner's responsibility. Such O&M is estimated to cost an average of $75/year, which
basically includes the cost of the electricity to power the inline fan.
1 U.S. EPA will not necessarily pay the costs of associated decorative or
cosmetic treatments, or of installation options that are not deemed a "required"
installation by the Agency.
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov
RecyctayRtcycliblt • Printed with Vegetable OU Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 25% Postconsumer)
-------
If you have health related questions, please contact Dr. [add name] of ODH at 614-123-
4567. If you have questions concerning the vapor abatement system or the [Enter Site
Name] removal action, please contact me at 513-569-7539.
Steve Renninger
U.S. EPA On-Scene Coordinator
Please sign below to indicate that you accept the described vapor abatement system
and agree to operation & maintenance as described above, or that you decline the
described vapor abatement system for your property:
I agree to and accept the terms set forth above:
Name Signature Date
I have reviewed the above information and decline the described system:
Sincerely,
Name
Signature
Date
-------
ATTACHMENT P
U.S. EPA VAPOR ABATEMENT SYSTEM CONTRACTOR VISIT REMINDER FORM
-------
U.S. EPA Vapor Abatement System Contractor Visit
Reminder Form
Date:
Time:
Location:
1) U.S. EPA and its contractors will be at your residence on the date stated above
to determine the type and location of vapor abatement system to install into your
residence.
2) The property owner must be present during this meeting.
3) The installation date will be determined during this visit.
4) If you have to reschedule your appointment, please contact [add ERRS RM
name and company info], at 937-123-4567 OR come to the U.S. EPA Command
Post located at [add address], M-F 9am-5pm
-------
ATTACHMENT Q
U.S. EPA VAPOR ABATEMENT SYSTEM INSTALLATION DATE REMINDER FORM
-------
U.S. EPA Vapor Abatement System Installation Date
Reminder Form
Date:
Time:
Location:
1) U.S. EPA and its contractors will be at your residence on the date stated above
to install a vapor abatement system into your residence.
2) If you have to reschedule your appointment, please contact [add ERRS RM
Contact Company and Name], at 937-123-4567 OR come to the U.S. EPA
Command Post located at [add address], M-F 9am-5pm
-------
ATTACHMENT R
EXAMPLE HEALTH CONSULTATION
-------
Health Consultation
Initial United States Environmental Protection Agency Investigation
Behr VOC Plume Site
Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio
AUGUST 1, 2008
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Atlanta, Georgia 30333
-------
Health Consultation: A Note of Explanation
An ATSDR health consultation is a verbal or written response from ATSDR to a specific
request for information about health risks related to a specific site, a chemical release, or the
presence of hazardous material. In order to prevent or mitigate exposures, a consultation may
lead to specific actions, such as restricting use of or replacing water supplies; intensifying
environmental sampling; restricting site access; or removing the contaminated material.
In addition, consultations may recommend additional public health actions, such as conducting
health surveillance activities to evaluate exposure or trends in adverse health outcomes;
conducting biological indicators of exposure studies to assess exposure; and providing health
education for health care providers and community members. This concludes the health
consultation process for this site, unless additional information is obtained by ATSDR which,
in the Agency's opinion, indicates a need to revise or append the conclusions previously
issued.
You May Contact ATSDR TOLL FREE at
1-800-CDC-INFO
or
Visit our Home Page at: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov
-------
HEALTH CONSULTATION
Initial United States Environmental Protection Agency Investigation
Behr VOC Plume Site
Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio
Prepared By:
The Health Assessment Section
Of the Ohio Department of Health
Under cooperative agreement with the
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
-------
Contents
SUMMARY 3
STATEMENT OF ISSUES 5
BACKGROUND 5
Site Location 5
Regional Hydrogeology and Groundwater Resources 6
Natural resources use 6
Demographics 7
Land use 7
Site History 8
Operational history 8
Administrative Order of Consent with Chrysler 8
Previous Site Investigations 9
On-Site Soil and Groundwater Remediation Systems 9
Ohio EPA Discovery 10
USEPA Referral 10
Community Health Education Activities 11
DISCUSSION 12
Exposure to Toxic Chemicals 12
Exposure Pathways 13
Drinking Water Pathway 13
Vapor Intrusion Pathway 13
Past Exposures 14
Current Exposures 14
Chemicals of Concern 15
Trichloroethylene (TCE) 15
1,2-Dichloroethene (DCE) 17
CHILD HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS 18
CONCLUSIONS 18
RECOMMENDATIONS 19
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION PLAN 19
PREPARED BY 20
CERTIFICATION 21
REFERENCES 22
TABLES 24
FIGURES 29
2
-------
BEHR VOC PLUME SITE
SUMMARY
In October, 2006, the Health Assessment Section (HAS) was asked to participate in a multi-
agency emergency response team to evaluate the potential health impacts to the community
posed by elevated levels of trichloroethylene (TCE) in shallow groundwater underlying
residential properties in the north Dayton area of Montgomery County, Ohio (Figure 1). The
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requested U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
(USEPA) and HAS assistance to carry out a time-critical investigation in the neighborhood to
address these concerns. The results of groundwater sampling by the Chrysler Corporation for the
Behr Dayton facility and deep soil gas sampling by the Ohio EPA showed the presence of TCE
in the groundwater and soil gas in the McCook Field residential area that exceeded screening
levels established by USEPA's Subsurface Vapor Intrusion Guidance (USEPA, 2002).
Exceeding these guidance levels indicates that vapor-phase chlorinated solvents emanating from
the underlying groundwater may pose an unacceptable health risk to area residents through the
vapor intrusion pathway.
The Health Assessment Section (HAS) at the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has had a
cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
since 1990. This health consultation document evaluates the environmental data collected by
Ohio EPA and USEPA as part of the initial vapor intrusion investigation at the Behr VOC Plume
site. HAS makes conclusions and recommendations for additional actions that may be necessary
to protect the public health.
ATSDR and HAS provided USEPA with health-based screening values for residential and non-
residential buildings for trichloroethylene (TCE) and other volatile organic compounds. HAS
proposed that interim measures be taken at those properties that exceeded the screening criteria
to reduce or eliminate the vapor intrusion route as a pathway of health concern. Initially, indoor
air samples were collected by USEPA from eight residences immediately south of the Behr-
Dayton facility. This residential area immediately south of the facility was later designated as the
Phase I area (See Figure 2) in the USEPA Administrative Order of Consent (USEPA, 2006c).
The Behr VOC Plume site posed an Indeterminate Public Health Hazard for exposure of
nearby residents to contamination via vapor intrusion in the past. There are no indoor air data
that indicate that nearby residents were breathing site-related contaminants in the air in their
homes prior to the Fall, 2006 sampling. There are no soil gas data that indicate that contaminants
were at levels in the soil gas that could pose a vapor intrusion hazard to nearby residents.
Evidence suggests that area groundwater was contaminated with chlorinated solvents at least
since 1999.
3
-------
Based on the November, 2006 sampling conducted by USEPA Emergency Response Branch,
HAS determined that the Behr VOC Plume site poses a Public Health Hazard to area residents
due to potential exposure to chlorinated solvent contamination via vapor intrusion. Indoor air
data collected by USEPA and subsequent data collected by the Chrysler Corporation in 2007 and
2008 indicate that, at the present, some nearby residents are likely being exposed to
trichloroethylene in indoor air via the vapor intrusion route at levels that may pose a long term
health threat.
The Behr VOC Plume site may continue to pose a Public Health Hazard as a result of exposure
of nearby residents to contamination via vapor intrusion in the future unless the source or sources
of the groundwater contamination in the area can be fully identified and cleaned up. The vapor
abatement systems proposed for impacted homes are intended to be a temporary solution to
prevent or reduce the likelihood of the contaminants entering nearby homes and posing a health
threat to the residents. The long term solution to the contaminant exposure issue in the
neighborhood is identifying and removing the source of the groundwater contamination
underlying the community.
Residents in the Behr VOC Plume Phase I area obtain their water from the City of Dayton public
drinking water system which, to date, has not been impacted by contaminants from the Behr
VOC Plume site. Although the Dayton public water well field is only about one mile north of the
site and the area of influence of the well field approaches the northern edge of the site, there are
currently no data that indicate that the contaminants from this site have impacted water quality in
the well field.
4
-------
STATEMENT OF ISSUES
The Behr VOC Plume site is a vapor intrusion site with contaminants that originate from a
chlorinated solvent groundwater contaminant plume whose source is the Behr-Dayton Thermal
(former Chrysler Air Temp) facility in Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio. In September 2006,
Chrysler notified Ohio EPA that the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the Behr-Dayton
Thermal facility were migrating off-site in the groundwater under the residential areas south-
southwest of the facility (See Figure 3). The high concentrations of contaminants detected in the
groundwater migrating off-site led to Ohio EPA concerns that vapor-phase chlorinated solvents
could migrate from the groundwater and travel up through the soil and into buildings in the
neighborhood south of the Behr-Dayton facility. The concentration of the solvent
trichloroethylene (TCE) in the groundwater and soil gas exceeded the USEPA's Office of Solid
Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) Subsurface Vapor Intrusion Guidance (USEPA,
2002) screening levels for this chemical.
In October, 2006, the USEPA Emergency Response Branch On-Scene Coordinator requested the
assistance of the Health Assessment Section (HAS) at the Ohio Department of Health to provide
indoor air screening and action levels (based in part on ATSDR screening values and hereafter
referred to as HAS action levels) for the volatile contaminants found in the plume. The Health
Assessment Section of the Ohio Department of Health has a cooperative agreement with the
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Under that agreement, HAS
undertook the lead in conducting this public health consultation. This public health consultation
document will evaluate the initial environmental data collected at the site and will make
conclusions and recommendations for additional actions that may be necessary to protect public
health of area residents. This public health consultation will be limited to the initial Ohio EPA
and USEPA sampling conducted in the Fall of 2006. Additional public health assessment
documents will be completed as on-going investigations into the full extent and nature of this
contamination in the north Dayton area continue.
BACKGROUND
Site Location
The Behr VOC Plume Site is located in an older mixed urban industrial/commercial and
residential portion of north Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio (See Figures 1 and 2). The Behr
VOC Plume site is a groundwater contamination plume originating from the current Behr-
Dayton Thermal facility. Following regional groundwater flow, the groundwater contamination
is migrating into the adjacent residential areas south and southwest of the facility. The Behr VOC
Plume site is about two miles north of downtown Dayton and one mile north of the confluence of
the Great Miami River and the Mad River (Figure 1). The Behr site is about one mile east of the
confluence of the Great Miami River and the Stillwater River. The Behr-Dayton Thermal facility
is about one mile south of the City of Dayton's wellfield.
5
-------
Regional Hydrogeology and Groundwater Resources
Natural resources use
There are two major aquifer systems in the area of the Behr VOC Plume, the buried valley
aquifer system and the Silurian limestone bedrock aquifer system (Miami Conservancy, 2002).
In areas where the sand and gravel deposits are not present, the Silurian limestone bedrock is a
suitable source of groundwater (Miami Conservancy, 2002). However, in the area of the Behr
VOC Plume, the sand and gravel buried valley aquifer is used exclusively as the source of area
drinking water.
The Behr VOC Plume site is located in the Great Miami River valley. The Great Miami River
flows across a deep bedrock valley that was cut into the limestone and shale bedrock. Ice Age
glaciers back-filled these deep bedrock valleys with sand and gravel deposits and an occasional
layer of clay. These valley fill deposits range from 150 to 250 feet thick. The sand and gravel
deposits are thickest near the present course of the Great Miami River and taper to 25 feet thick
on the edges of the bedrock valley.
Poorly sorted clay tills were deposited as intermittent layers along with the sand and gravel beds
in the former river valley. These clay lenses rarely form a continuous, impermeable confining
layer. The groundwater that may be perched above these layers is not isolated from the
groundwater beneath it. The bulk of the soils under the site are porous and permeable sand and
gravels (Ohio Department of Natural Resources well logs). These sand and gravel deposits
comprise a prolific buried valley aquifer system. The buried valley aquifer provides most of the
region with an abundant supply of water for drinking and industrial use (Miami Conservancy,
2002). Seventy-six percent of the water used in the area is withdrawn via wells from the buried
valley sand and gravel aquifer. Most of the water that is withdrawn from the aquifer (67%) is
used for public drinking water supplies (Miami Conservancy District [MCD], 2002). This buried
valley aquifer has been designated as a "Sole Source Aquifer" (See Figure 1). The USEPA's
Sole Source Aquifer designation is defined as an aquifer that supplies at least 50% of the
drinking water consumed in the area overlying the aquifer.
Bedrock is encountered immediately beneath the sand and gravel deposits. Compared to the sand
and gravel deposits, the limestone and shale bedrock layers are impermeable and act as a
confining unit to the groundwater flow in the overlying sand and gravel aquifer (Miami
Conservancy, 2002).
Since 2001, Chrysler has sampled the groundwater from 75 on-site and off-site monitoring wells
on an irregular basis. Chrysler reported that groundwater elevations indicated that the flow
direction in the vicinity of the facility was from the northwest and turned to the southwest just
south of the facility (USEPA, 2006a). Regional groundwater flow in the buried valley aquifer
system mimics the regional topographic gradient (Miami Conservancy, 2002). The depth to the
water table is commonly relatively shallow, ranging from about 15 to 30 feet below ground
surface (ODNR, 1995). The intervening soils consist primarily of unconsolidated permeable,
porous sands, gravels, and cobbles (Ohio Department of Natural Resources well logs).
6
-------
Demographics
The Phase I area lies within the McCook Field Neighborhood Planning District of the City of
Dayton. In the 2000 census, there were a total of 2,107 people living in this district with 49
percent white, 47 percent African-American, and 4 percent other. In the McCook District at the
time of the 2000 Census, 38 percent of the people were 17 years old or younger, 50 percent were
between the ages of 18 and 64, and 12 percent were 65 years old or older. There was a total of
1,141 housing units with 836 households and an average of 2.47 persons per household. At the
time of the 2000 census, 15 percent of the housing units were owner occupied, 58 percent were
rented and 27 percent were vacant (Dayton, 2003). Also from the 2000 Census, but based on
1999 income, 47 percent of the people (of all ages) living in the McCook District were living
with incomes below the poverty level (Dayton, 2000). Since the 2000 Census, the Dayton Metro
Housing Parkside Homes project, on the west side of Interstate 75, has been incrementally
dismantled and this may have significant impact to the demographics of the McCook Field
Neighborhood Planning District.
Land use
The Phase I area (Figure 2) is primarily an area of older, single-family residences interspersed
with some small commercial properties. The City of Dayton has zoned this area as a "general
industrial district." There is a small park located on the south side of Lamar Street on the
southern border of the Phase I area called Claire Ridge Park. The Behr facility is at the northern
edge of the Phase I area on the north side of Leo Street (Figure 2). The areas to the immediate
east and west of the Phase I area are occupied by industrial and commercial properties. The
surrounding Phase 2 Behr VOC Plume area consists mostly of general and light industrial
properties mixed with mature neighborhoods of single-family and commercial properties. Some
larger parks can also be found further to the west along the Great Miami River such as Triangle
Park and the McCook Field area.
There are a number of industries in addition to the Behr facility near the Phase I area, including,
Aramark Uniform Services Inc., DAP Inc., Environmental Processing SVC, Gayston, and GEM
City Chemicals Inc. Other than the Aramark facility, existing groundwater data does not indicate
that these other facilities are significant sources of contamination in the Phase I area (Ohio EPA;
City of Dayton; personal communication, 2007).
Dayton's drinking water supply wells are about one mile north-northeast of the site. A report
prepared for Chrysler in 2002 stated that twelve water wells were located in the Dayton
downtown area within one mile of the site (Earth Tech, 2002). Nine of these wells were reported
to be domestic wells and two wells were industrial supply wells (Earth Tech, 2002). There is also
a public water supply well at the Behr-Dayton Thermal Facility (Earth Tech, 2002).
There are two elementary schools in the Behr VOC Plume area; the Kiser Elementary School
and Van Cleve Elementary School. The Kiser Elementary School is immediately east across the
railroad tracks from the Behr Facility on Leo Street. Recent indoor air samples detected
contaminants at concentrations below the HAS action levels at Kiser Elementary School
(USEPA, 2007). The Van Cleve Elementary School was located at 1032 Webster Street, roughly
7
-------
1,600 feet, south of the Behr facility. However, the school was relocated in August 2007 to 132
Alaska Street after indoor air samples indicated levels of TCE above the HAS action levels in the
Webster Street school building in June and July 2007.
The initial residential area investigated by Ohio EPA and USEPA is immediately south of the
facility. This area is bordered by Leo Street on the north, Milburn Avenue to the east, Lamar
Street to the south, and Webster Street to the west (see Figure 3). Sub-slab and indoor air
samples were initially collected by USEPA in eight homes in this area and found to have TCE
levels above HAS's indoor air and sub-slab HAS action levels. Under the Administrative Order
of Consent signed by USEPA and DaimlerChrysler in December 2006, DaimlerChrysler will
resample the homes sampled by USEPA as well as an additional 10 to 12 homes in this
residential community.
Site History
Operational history
The Behr-Dayton Thermal facility manufactures vehicle air conditioning and engine cooling
systems. Although the operations at the facility have remained consistent through the history of
the site, the owners have changed several times. The Chrysler Corporation owned and operated
the facility from 1937 until 2002. In 1998 Daimler-Benz and Chrysler Corporation merged
forming the DaimlerChrysler Corporation (Chrysler) (USEPA, 2006a). In April 2002, Behr
America became the current owner of the Dayton facility. However, DaimlerChrysler
Corporation is assuming responsibility for the identification and remediation of the Behr VOC
Plume. In the past, TCE was used regularly in the plant's manufacturing processes, primarily as a
metal degreaser.
Administrative Order of Consent with Chrysler
Upon obtaining and reviewing the results of initial USEPA Phase I Sampling, USEPA met with
Chrysler on November 17, 2006 to discuss the signing of an Administrative Order of Consent
(AOC) and the scope of work for a proposed two phase time critical removal action to reduce or
eliminate exposure of residents to site related chemicals. The USEPA's proposed a Phase I
action that would focus on installing a sub-slab vapor abatement systems in each of the eight
residences that USEPA documented had indoor air TCE concentrations greater than 0.4 ppb
(USEPA, 2006a). Chrysler expanded the focus of Phase I to include an additional 13 residences
in the neighborhood south of facility - bounded by: Leo Street to the north, Lamar Street to the
south, Webster Street to the west, and Milburn Street to the east. (Figure 2 and 3). On December
19, 2006 the AOC was signed by USEPA and Chrysler (USEPA, 2006a). On December 21,
2006, USEPA approved Chrysler Phase I Work Plan and by this time Chrysler had already
installed vapor abatement systems in three of the residences (USEPA, 2006a). The following
actions were approved by USEPA as part of the Phase I Work Plan:
Phase I Actions:
1. Chrysler would install vapor abatement systems in five remaining
residences initially sampled by USEPA.
8
-------
2. Chrysler would install vapor abatement systems in residences with indoor
air TCE concentrations that are greater than 0.4 ppb (initial eight plus the
additional 14).
3. Chrysler would take periodic confirmatory air samples following the
installation of the vapor abatement systems to ensure effectiveness of
mitigation systems.
4. USEPA would conduct a public meeting in January, 2007
Previous Site Investigations
In 2002, DaimlerChysler submitted an application for the Voluntary Action Program (VAP) to
the Ohio EPA. As part of the VAP application, Chrysler documented groundwater contamination
beneath the facility with contaminant levels exceeding VAP cleanup standards. Also in 2002,
Chrysler submitted a Human Health Risk Evaluation (HHRA) (Earth Tech, Inc., 2002). The
HHRA was the initial screening of human health risk based on the concentration of detected
VOCs in the groundwater at off site locations. The main contaminants of potential concern
identified in the HHRA were trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE). The
HHRA evaluated the groundwater below the facility and the groundwater moving off site
separately. The HHRA also evaluated the risk to down-gradient residences from vapor intrusion
using the Johnson-Ettinger Model (Johnson-Ettinger, 1991). The HHRA concluded that the risks
due to vapor intrusion were marginal for non-carcinogenic hazards and carcinogenic risks and
concluded "that an imminent and substantial health risk is not present" (Earth Tech, 2002). The
report further stated that residences within this plume area south-southwest of the facility are
supplied with water from the Dayton's municipal water supplies and are not at risk of exposure
to contaminants through their drinking water.
In response to the groundwater contamination documented in 2002, Chrysler contracted Earth
Tech to design, install, and operate two systems for the remediation of on-site contamination,
one for the soil cleanup and one for the groundwater contamination under the facility, with TCE
as the main contaminant of concern.
On-Site Soil and Groundwater Remediation Systems
Chrysler installed a Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) system for the removal of contaminants from
the soils. The SVE system began operation in October 2003 and continued operating through
December 2005. An estimated 900 pounds of VOCs were removed from the soils (Earth Tech,
2006).
In an attempt to remove contaminants from the groundwater, a remediation system consisting of
six extraction wells and seven injection wells was installed. The capture zone of the six
extraction wells reportedly extends as much as 300 feet to the south and 150 feet east of the Behr
facility boundaries. Within this capture zone contaminated groundwater is reportedly recovered
and treated by the groundwater remedial system. Sodium lactate solution is injected into this
system to break down chlorinated solvents before the groundwater is returned to the aquifer. The
remedial groundwater system began operation in June 2004 and an estimated 1,031 pounds of
VOCs were removed (Earth Tech, 2006).
9
-------
Up to 75 monitoring wells, on-site and in the surrounding area, were sampled for VOC analyses
on an irregular basis by DaimlerChrysler between 2003 and 2007. DaimlerChrysler summarized
the data in a report provided for Ohio EPA in September, 2006. Well MW-010S on-site had
concentrations of TCE of 17,000 ppb in 2003 and 10,000 ppb in 2006 (Table 1 and Figure 4).
Two monitoring wells in the residential area south of the facility had TCE levels over 100 times
the MCL in 2003 that increased in concentration in 2006 to over 700 times the MCL. Off-site
monitoring well, MW-029S, in Phase I neighborhood, had TCE levels as high as 16,000 ppb in
2003.
Ohio EPA Discovery
In September, 2006 Chrysler notified Ohio EPA that a chlorinated solvent contaminant plume
from the Behr-Dayton Thermal facility was migrating off-site in the groundwater under the
residential area south-southwest of the facility. The high concentrations of these VOCs detected
in the groundwater migrating off-site led to Ohio EPA concerns that vapor-phase chemical
compounds could migrate from the groundwater and travel through the soil and into inhabited
buildings near the Behr-Dayton facility. The concentrations of TCE, vinyl chloride, and cis-1,2-
dichloroethene in the groundwater exceeded the USEPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency
Response (OSWER) screening levels (USEPA, 2002) (See Table 1).
Exceeding these guidance levels indicated that there was a potential for an unacceptable risk to
area residents due to vapor intrusion; vapor intrusion is the migration of vapor-phase volatile
organic compounds from contaminated groundwater to soil gas to indoor air of area homes. The
OSWER vapor intrusion evaluation process is designed to screen out sites that do not require
further investigation or remediation and to focus attention on those sites that need further
consideration of the vapor intrusion pathway.
In response to groundwater levels that exceeded the OSWER guidance levels, Ohio EPA
sampled the deep soil gas in the Phase I area south of the facility in October, 2006 (Figure 5).
These seven soil gas samples were collected approximately one foot above the water table (17
feet below ground surface). Contaminant concentrations in these deep soil gas samples
significantly exceeded the OSWER screening levels (USEPA, 2002) for TCE and cis-1,2-
dichloroethene in deep soil gas and TCE, cis-l,2-dichloroethene, trans-1,2-dichloroethene, and
1,1-dichloroethene in shallow soil gas. The Ohio EPA soil gas sampling indicated TCE at levels
up to 160,000 ppb, cis-l,2-DCE at levels up to 11,000 ppb, and 1,1-DCE up to 1,200 ppb under
the north Dayton community (Table 2).
USEPA Referral
ATSDR and HAS were asked to establish short-term HAS action levels and long-term screening
values for the contaminants of concern for both residential and commercial sub-slab soil gas and
indoor air concentrations at the Behr VOC Plume site (see Appendix A). Short-term HAS action
levels and long-term screening values were established for TCE, PCE, cis-l,2-DCE, trans-1,2-
DCE, 1,1,1-TCA, and vinyl chloride. Exceeding a short-term action level would warrant
10
-------
immediate action by Chrysler or USEPA to reduce exposure levels. These short term HAS action
levels were derived from ATSDR's intermediate EMEGs (Environmental Media Evaluation
Guides). Exceeding the EMEGs level will not necessarily result in adverse health effects, but
prompted further evaluation to determine potential public health threat to residents. Intermediate
EMEGs were developed for exposure durations of longer than two weeks but less than one year.
Long-term screening values were taken from the USEPA OSWER Draft Vapor Intrusion
Guidance levels at the 10"4 cancer risk level. Exceeding the long-term screening values indicates
that there is an increased potential to develop health affects due to exposure. Long-term
residential indoor air screening level for TCE was set at 0.4 ppb and the short-term action level
was set at 100 ppb.
Ohio EPA formally requested assistance from the USEPA Emergency Response Branch on
November 6, 2006 to conduct a time-critical removal action at the Behr VOC Plume site
(USEPA, 2006a).
USEPA Sampling
USEPA began the vapor intrusion investigation by sampling the sub-slab soil gas and indoor air
in eight residents in the Phase I neighborhood in November of 2006. The soil gas can accumulate
under basement floors or under cement floors of buildings built on slabs. The soil gas can
migrate into the homes through cracks in the floor or through the joints between the floors and
the wall. Samples of the sub-slab soil gas can be obtained by drilling a small diameter hole in the
concrete and installing sample tubing into the hole. A vacuum canister is attached to the tube
through a regulator which facilitates sample collection over a 24 hour period. The indoor air is
typically collected in the basement using a vacuum canister connected to a pump which is set up
to collect a sample over a 24 hour period. Indoor air samples and sub-slab soil gas samples were
collected at the same time in the Phase I neighborhood due to the high concentrations of
contaminants found in the deep soil gas samples and the shallow depth to the groundwater.
Contaminant concentrations in the sub-slab soil gas samples exceeded the OSWER shallow soil
gas screening levels (USEPA, 2002) for TCE in all eight homes (see Table 3). Residential sub-
slab screening level was set at 4 ppb for TCE. Sub-slab soil gas levels were exceeded in five
homes for cis-l,2-dichloroethene, two homes for trans-1,2-dichloroethene, and one home for 1,1-
dichloroethene (USEPA, 2006b).
The indoor air concentrations exceeded the action level of 0.4 ppbv established by ATSDR and
HAS in all eight homes (see Table 4). TCE levels in the indoor air exceeded the short-term
action level of 100 ppb in three homes USEPA, 2006b).
Community Health Education Activities
HAS staff, in conjunction with the US EPA On-Scene Coordinator and representatives of Public
Health of Dayton and Montgomery County (PHDMC), have met repeatedly with residents
impacted by the contamination associated with the Behr VOC Plume site. On November 20,
2006, HAS, US EPA, and PHDMC met on a one-on-one basis with the eight residents whose
homes were sampled by US EPA in November, 2006. Agencies provided the each resident with
their sub-slab and indoor air sampling results, a short history of the site, an explanation of the
11
-------
vapor intrusion route, and discussion of the toxicology and potential health concerns regarding
exposure to the primary contaminant of concern, TCE. Agency staff answered questions from the
residents and facilitated discussions with representatives from the Chrysler Corporation to sign
access agreements to allow Chrysler to conduct additional sampling in and under their homes.
HAS provided residents with fact sheets on Exposure to Toxic Chemicals, the Vapor Intrusion
Pathway, and Trichloroethylene (See Appendix B).
Agency staff, along with representatives from Chrysler Corporation, met again with residents
January 18, 2007 on a one-to-one basis to discuss the results of sub-slab and indoor air sampling
conducted by Chrysler in December, 2006 and early in January, 2007. Chrysler offered to install
sub-slab vapor abatement systems as a short-term solution to limit or eliminate current exposure
to TCE through the vapor intrusion route to residents with indoor air levels of TCE exceeding
HAS/ATSDR screening values. Agency and Chrysler staff answered questions from residents
and solicited signed agreements from residents for the installation of the abatement systems.
DISCUSSION
Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
For the public to be exposed to the elevated levels of chemical contaminants in and around the
Behr VOC Plume site, they must first come into contact with the contaminated groundwater,
surface water, soils, soil gas, sediment, or air. To come into contact with the contaminated
media there must be a completed exposure pathway. A completed exposure pathway consists of
five main parts, which must be present for a chemical exposure to occur. These include:
1) A Source of the Toxic Chemicals of concern;
2) A method of Environmental Transport, which allows the chemical contaminant to move
from its source (soil, soil gas, air, groundwater, surface water, sediment);
3) A Point of Exposure where the residents come into direct physical contact with the
chemical (on-site, off-site);
4) A Route of Exposure, which is how the residents come into physical contact with the
chemical (drinking, breathing, eating, touching); and
5) A Population at Risk which are the people who could possibly come into physical contact
with site-related chemicals.
Exposure pathways can also be characterized as to when the exposure occurred or might occur in
the Past, Present, or Future.
Physical contact with a chemical contaminant, in and by itself, does not necessarily result in
adverse health effects. A chemical's ability to affect a resident's health is also controlled by a
number of factors, including:
• How much of the chemical a person is exposed to (the Dose).
• How long a person is exposed to the chemical (duration of exposure).
• How often a person is exposed to the chemical (frequency).
12
-------
• The toxicity of chemicals the person is exposed to (how chemicals can make people
sick).
Other factors affecting a chemical's likelihood of causing adverse health effects upon contact
include the resident's:
• Personal habits
• Diet
• Age and sex
• Current health status
• Past exposures to toxic chemicals (occupational, hobbies, etc.)
The site related chemicals of concern found in the groundwater plume under the Behr VOC
Plume site consist primarily of trichloroethylene (TCE) and 1,2-dichloroethene (DCE).
Exposure Pathways
Drinking Water Pathway
Although the Behr VOC Plume site is a known groundwater contamination plume, the focus of
this health consultation is on health concerns related to the vapor intrusion pathway resulting
from this plume. The residents in the Phase I area obtain water from the Dayton public drinking
water supplies. At the present, existing groundwater monitoring data does not indicate that the
Behr VOC Plume has directly impacted City of Dayton public drinking water supplies (City of
Dayton, person. Comm., 2007).
Vapor Intrusion Pathway
The contaminants of concern, trichloroethylene (TCE) and 1,2-dichloroethene (DCE), are in a
class of chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals are
considered sufficiently toxic and sufficiently volatile to pose a threat via the vapor intrusion
pathway (USEPA, 2002). Although typically found in the liquid-phase in groundwater, these
compounds will readily become a gas on exposure to the air. These vapor-phase contaminants
can migrate into the air spaces between soil particles, up through the soils, and then into
basements of nearby residences. Once in the basements, these chemical vapors can be distributed
throughout the homes and into the breathing air of these residences. Factors that favor this type
of transport of these chemicals at the Behr site are; 1) the shallow depth to the groundwater (less
than 25 feet below the ground surface), 2) the highly permeable sand and gravel soils in this area,
3) the high concentrations of the contaminants in the shallow aquifer (up to 16,000 ppb TCE),
and 4) the short horizontal distance from the source to the nearest residences in the Phase I area.
Since the depth to groundwater is shallow, 17 to 25 feet below ground surface at the Behr site,
the vertical distance the contaminants will have to travel as a vapor to get into a basement will be
minimal. The Behr site is located in the Great Miami River valley and the soils consist of highly
porous and permeable sands and gravel. These soils provide an environment where organic
compounds can readily volatilize from the groundwater to the vapor-phase in the interstitial
spaces in the soil and can then migrate as soil gas to areas of lower vapor pressure at the ground
13
-------
surface.
Groundwater plumes with higher concentrations of volatile contaminants will typically generate
higher concentrations of contaminant vapors in the air spaces in the soils above the plume. The
concentrations of the contaminants in the shallow groundwater at the Behr VOC Plume site are
high as indicated by the levels found in shallow monitoring wells with TCE levels from 94 to
16,000 ppb (11 out of 15 samples with detections); cis-l,2-dichloroethylene levels from 16 to
3,800 ppb (6 out of 15 samples with detections); and vinyl chloride levels from 3 to 730 ppb (5
out 15 samples with detections) (DaimlerChrysler, 2006). Ohio EPA sampling of soil gas over
the groundwater contamination plume reflected this relationship, detecting soil gas levels of TCE
as high as 160,000 ppb and cis-l,2-DCE as high as 11,000 ppb under the Phase I neighborhood
(Table 2). The sub-slab soil gas sampled collected by USEPA from the eight sampled homes had
TCE as high as 62,000 ppb and cis-l,2-DCE levels as high as 7,900 ppb (Table 3). The vapor
intrusion pathway to the indoor air in these homes was determined to be complete and poses an
unacceptable public health concern to nearby residents (USEPA, 2006a).
Past Exposures
No indoor air data are available to determine whether the public has been exposed to
contaminants in the air through inhalation in the past. No soil gas or sub-slab soil gas data are
available to determine whether there was the potential for vapor intrusion in the past. Available
groundwater data indicates that groundwater in the area was impacted by site-related chemicals
as least as far back as 1999 (Geoprobe sampling in 1999, monitoring wells installed in 2001).
As indicated above, in 2002, Chrysler submitted a Human Health Risk Evaluation (HHRA)
(Earth Tech, Inc., 2002). The HHRA was the initial screening of human health risk based on the
concentration of VOCs detected in the groundwater at off site locations. The HHRA evaluated
risk from vapor intrusion using the Johnson-Ettinger Model (Johnson-Ettinger, 1991). The
HHRA concluded that the risks due to vapor intrusion were marginal for non-carcinogenic
hazards and carcinogenic risks and concluded "that an imminent and substantial health risk is not
present" (Earth Tech, 2002).
Current Exposures
USEPA collected indoor air samples over a 24 hour period at eight locations in the Phase I area.
TCE was detected at concentrations exceeding the HAS screening action level of 0.4 ppb in all
eight indoor air samples, with the maximum concentration of 260 ppb at location EPA-05 (See
Table 4). HAS's short term action level of 100 ppb was exceeded at three locations, EPA-2,
EPA-03, and EPA-05, along Daniel Street and Milburn Avenue.
Cis-l,2-Dichloroethene was detected at concentrations exceeding the HAS screening action level
of 8.8 ppb at sampling locations EPA-02 and EPA-05 with a maximum indoor vapor level of 20
ppb at sample location EPA-05.
14
-------
Chemicals of Concern
TCE and 1,2-DCE are partially soluble in water and are heavier than water. Significant rainfall
events usually flushes these chemicals deeper into the soils and then into the groundwater. TCE
tends to sink down through the groundwater and accumulate at the bottom of the aquifer. As it
travels deeper in the aquifer, TCE enters low oxygen areas and come in contact with bacteria that
break TCE down into other chemicals. Under certain conditions TCE breaks down to DCE and
VC (Vogel and McCarty, 1985). DCE, and VC are typically found at the leading edge of a
plume where contaminants have been in the ground for the longest period and where bacteria
have had more time to break down TCE. Typically the highest concentrations of TCE will be
found in that portion of the plume nearest to the source.
Trichloroethylene (TCE)
The primary use of trichloroethylene has been the degreasing of metal parts and its use has been
closely associated with the automotive and metal-fabricating industries from the 1950's through
the 1970's. It is an excellent solvent for removing greases, oils, fats, waxes, and tars. As a
solvent it was used alone or blended with other solvents. These solvents were also added to
adhesives, lubricants, paints, varnishes, paint strippers, pesticides, and cold metal cleaners.
When in surface soils, TCE will transform from a liquid to a gas faster than many other volatile
organic compounds. It has been shown that the majority of the TCE spilled on soils close to the
surface will vaporize into the air. When TCE is released into the air, it reacts relatively quickly
in the presence of sunlight and oxygen, with about half of it breaking down to simpler
compounds in about a week. TCE doesn't stick well to soil particles unless the soils have high
organic carbon content. TCE is known to be only slightly soluble in water, but there is ample
evidence that dissolved TCE can remain in groundwater for a long time. Studies show that TCE
in water will rapidly form a gas when it comes into contact with air. In a sand and gravel
aquifer, TCE in the groundwater would rapidly vaporize into the air spaces between adjacent soil
grains. Studies indicate that it would then disperse by two primary routes; first, diffusion
through the soil air spaces and then be re-adsorbed by groundwater or infiltrating rainwater, or
second, it would migrate as a gas to the surface and be released to the atmosphere. The primary
means of degradation of trichloroethylene in groundwater is by bacteria, but a breakdown
product by this means is vinyl chloride, a known human carcinogen and likely more of a health
concern than TCE (Vogel and McCarty, 1985).
Acute Health Effects
Occupational studies of workers who use TCE in their work environments and studies of people
intentionally inhaling large amounts of TCE (in excess of 100,000 parts TCE per billion parts of
air) indicate the potential for impaired heart function, unconsciousness, and death (ATSDR,
1997). Breathing similarly high levels of TCE for longer periods of time may cause permanent
nerve, kidney, and liver damage. Breathing lesser amounts of TCE may cause headaches, lung
irritation, dizziness, poor coordination, and difficulty concentrating. These latter symptoms are
reversible and can be addressed by preventing further exposure of the individual to TCE in the
indoor air environment. OSHA has set an occupational indoor air limit of 100,000 ppb TCE for
an 8-hour workday over a 40-hour work week. ATSDR has established a 2,000 ppb TCE acute
15
-------
minimum risk level (MRL) for TCE in air (ATSDR, 1997).
Exceeding this latter number in the indoor air of homes in the Behr VOC Plume site area might
have triggered temporary removal of residents from their homes. However, the highest indoor air
level for TCE detected in the Phase I area at the Behr VOC Plume site is 260 ppb, an order of
magnitude less than the ATSDR acute MRL value of 2,000 ppb.
Short-term Non-Cancer Health Effects
ATSDR has established an "intermediate" exposure comparison value for exposures to TCE in
the air that may have durations greater than a week but less than a year (15 to 365 days). This
100 ppb level provides protection from possible neurological effects due to TCE exposure over
this "intermediate" exposure period (ATSDR, 1997). Three homes sampled by USEPA in
November, 2006 had indoor air levels of TCE exceeding this "short term action level". An
additional home sampled by Chrysler in January, 2007 also exceeded this value, in addition to
the homes already sampled by USEPA. Sub-slab vapor abatement systems were installed in all
four homes in February, 2007. Ten-day and 30-day confirmation sampling indicated that levels
of TCE in the indoor air in these homes were reduced to single-digit parts per billion levels of
TCE (below the 100 ppb "short-term action level") very soon after installation and initial
operation of these vapor abatement systems.
Long-term or Chronic Cancer Risk
TCE was most recently classified by USEPA as Class B2 carcinogen - a "probable human
cancer-causing chemical". However, the cancer classification of TCE has been withdrawn and is
currently under review by USEPA. The National Toxicology Program (NTP), in its 11th Report
on Carcinogens (2005), lists TCE as being "reasonably anticipated" to be a human carcinogen
based on limited evidence of carcinogenicity from studies of humans and sufficient evidence
from studies of lab animals exposed to high levels of the chemical.
Chronic exposure to high levels of TCE in air in the workplace (greater than 100,000 ppb TCE),
based on analyses of seven studies of worker populations, was associated with excess incidence
of liver cancer, kidney cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, prostate cancer, and multiple myeloma
in these workers. The strongest evidence for linking cancer in these workers to TCE exposure is
for the first three of these cancers (NTP, 2005). Agreement between human and animal studies
supports the conclusion that TCE exposure may result in the development of kidney cancer. High
doses are needed to cause liver toxicity and cancer in lab animals. Differences with regard to
how humans and animals process TCE in the liver suggests that humans would be less
susceptible to liver cancer from TCE exposures than the lab animals (National Academy of
Sciences (NAS), 2006).
The health effects, including increased cancer risks, from chronic exposure to single digit part
per billion levels of TCE in air and/or drinking water remain poorly-documented and largely
unknown. For the Behr VOC Plume site, HAS and ATSDR recommended a long-term protective
screening level of 0.4 ppb TCE in the indoor air, based on a hypothetical cancer risk scenario
that assumes a resident lives in the basement of his or her house and breathes in TCE in the air
16
-------
for 30+ years, 24 hours/day for 350 days of the year.
Indoor air levels of TCE in 14 of the 18 homes in the Phase I investigation area sampled by the
USEPA and Chrysler exceeded this long-term screening level. Sub-slab vapor abatement systems
were installed in all 14 of these homes in February, 2007. As of February, 2008, seven out of
these 14 homes still had indoor air levels of TCE above the 0.4 ppb screening level. USEPA is
requiring Chrysler to review the effectiveness of their vapor abatement systems in light of these
homes still being out of compliance with regard to indoor air levels of TCE. Chrysler recently
(February, 2008) has proposed to install an in-ground soil vapor extraction system (SVE) under
the entire Phase I neighborhood to try and better address the continuing exposure issues in these
homes.
As the duration of the TCE exposures via the vapor intrusion pathway at the Behr VOC Plume
site remains largely unknown but may have been going on for at least a decade, the HAS,
working with the Chronic Disease and Behavioral Epidemiology Section at the Ohio Department
of Health and Public Health of Dayton and Montgomery County Staff, will be conducting a
community cancer assessment of the impacted neighborhoods in north Dayton in 2008 to
determine cancer incidence in this community.
1,2-Dichloroethene (DCE)
DCE has been manufactured as a chlorinated solvent, but at Behr VOC Plume site it is believed
to be primarily a by-product of the breakdown of the solvent TCE in groundwater by bacteria.
There are three different forms of DCE of concern at the Behr VOC Plume site; 1,1-DCE, cis-
1,2-DCE, and trans-1,2-DCE. TCE breaks down into 1,1-DCE or trans-1,2-DCE forms through
minor transformation pathways and these forms are typically found in lower concentrations than
the cis-1,2-DCE form. The major portion of the DCE by-product formed in the TCE breakdown
is the cis-1,2-DCE form.
Low concentrations of trans-1,2-DCE and 1,1-DCE have been detected in the groundwater, soil
gas, and indoor air at Behr VOC Plume site. Trans-1,2-DCE is classified as having evidence that
it does not cause cancer in humans and 1,1-DCE has been identified as a chemical that has
suggestive evidence of carcinogenic potential. Trans-1,2-DCE and 1,1-DCE have not been found
at concentrations in the indoor air at the Behr VOC Plume site Phase I area that pose a health
concern (up to 18 ppb for trans-1,2-DCE and 50 ppb for 1,1-DCE).
At the Behr VOC Plume site, cis-1,2-DCE was detected at significantly higher concentrations
than 1,1-DCE and trans-1,2-DCE. Cis-1,2-DCE is classified as a Class D Carcinogen because
there is no data to indicate that this chemical promotes tumor formation in the body (ATSDR,
1996). Although there is no human non-cancer exposure data for cis-1,2-DCE, non-cancer health
effects are expected to be similar to exposure to trans-1,2-DCE. Exposure to high concentrations
of trans-1,2-DCE depresses the central nervous system in humans. Inhalation of 1,700,000 to
2,220,000 ppb for 5 minutes or 1,200,000 ppb for 10 minutes of trans-1,2-DCE have caused
nausea, drowsiness, fatigue, vertigo, and intracranial pressure in two human subjects (ATSDR,
1996). Slight burning of the eyes was reported by two humans when exposed to 830,000 and
2,220,000 ppb trans-1,2-DCE for 30 minutes (ATSDR, 1996).
17
-------
The concentrations of cis-l,2-DCE found at the Behr VOC Plume site in the indoor air are
unlikely to pose a health concern (at levels at or below 8.8 ppb). Two of the eight residences had
levels of cis-l,2-DCE in the indoor air above the levels of concern (11.0 and 20 ppb). Sub-slab
vapor abatement systems were installed in these two homes in February, 2007 based on elevated
TCE levels. USEPA is requiring Chrysler to review the effectiveness of their vapor abatement
systems in light of these homes still being out of compliance with regard to indoor air levels of
TCE. TCE was found at higher concentrations in the groundwater, soil gas, sub-slab, and the
indoor air than DCE and the screening level for TCE (0.4 ppb) is significantly lower than the
screening level for DCE (8.8 ppb). The effectiveness of the vapor abatement systems has focused
on the goal of getting indoor air levels below the more conservative screening level for TCE.
Chrysler recently (February, 2008) has proposed to install an in-ground soil vapor extraction
system (SVE) under the Phase I neighborhood to try and better address the continuing exposure
issues in these homes.
( Mil l) HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
ATSDR and HAS recognize the unique vulnerabilities of children exposed to environmental
contamination and hazards. As part of this health consultation, HAS considered the greater
sensitivity of the children who live in the area of the Behr VOC Plume site when drawing
conclusions and making recommendations regarding health effects from exposure to chemicals
related to the Behr VOC Plume site.
CONCLUSIONS
Exposure of nearby residents to contamination via vapor intrusion associated with the Behr VOC
Plume site posed an Indeterminate Public Health Hazard for in the past. There are no indoor air
data that indicate that nearby residents were breathing contaminants in the air from the Behr
facility. There are no soil gas data that indicate that contaminants were at levels in the soils that
could pose a vapor intrusion hazard to nearby residents.
Based on the November 2006 sampling conducted by the USEPA Emergency Response Branch,
the Behr VOC Plume site poses a Public Health Hazard for exposure of nearby residents to
contamination via vapor intrusion at the present time. The indoor air data collected by the
USEPA and subsequent data collected by the Chrysler Corporation in 2007 and 2008 indicate
that some nearby residents are breathing TCE in indoor air via the vapor intrusion route in the
present at levels that may pose a long term health threat.
The Behr VOC Plume site poses a Public Health Hazard for exposure of nearby residents to
contamination via vapor intrusion in the future. The source or sources of the groundwater
contamination in the neighborhood needs to be fully identified and cleaned up. The installed
vapor abatement systems are only intended to be a temporary solution to prevent the
contaminants entering nearby homes and posing a health threat to the residents. The long term
solution to the contaminant threat to the North Dayton area is identifying and removing the
source of the groundwater contamination underlying the community.
18
-------
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The nature and extent of the groundwater contamination needs to be more fully
investigated. Details of groundwater flow direction and investigation of possible
additional sources of contamination are areas that need further investigation. Dayton's
well field, one mile to the north, has a cone of influence very close to the northern edge
of the Behr facility. Vigilant monitoring of the groundwater in this area is recommended
to ensure that contaminants are not entering Dayton's water supply.
2. The full extent of the TCE contamination associated with the Behr VOC Plume site
should be determined. Residences and businesses at risk of exposure via vapor intrusion
pathway should have their sub-slab and indoor air sampled for TCE.
3. Residences with indoor air levels of TCE exceeding long term screening value for TCE in
indoor air should be provided with sub-slab vapor abatement systems.
4. Installed sub-slab vapor abatement systems need to be monitored at regular intervals to
ensure that these systems continue to remove vapor-phase chemicals before they can
enter the home.
5. Due to the number of mitigation systems installed in the neighborhood and the
concentrations of contaminants expelled by these systems, the ambient air should be
monitored to ensure that the ambient outdoor air is not at concentrations that pose a
health concern.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION PLAN
Actions at this site are currently being pursued under USEPA Emergency Response Branch
(ERB) authorization to identify and remediate environmental impacts on air, land, and water and
evaluate threats to public health in the north Dayton area. Chrysler is conducting an
investigations and remediation in a portion of the Phase 2 area and is disputing USEPA claims
that the Behr VOC Plume area extends into other neighborhoods further to the southeast and
southwest of the Phase I area. In response to concerns from the community, USEPA is currently
conducting investigations and remediation in these disputed Phase 2 areas.
HAS will review any additional environmental data collected in Phase I neighborhood. HAS will
review indoor air data after the installation of the vapor mitigations systems. HAS will also
review environmental data from the Phase 2 area.
At the request of the community, HAS has requested a community cancer assessment from
ODH's Chronic Disease and Behavioral Epidemiology Section for the residential area around the
Behr facility.
19
-------
PREPARED BY
Peter J. Ferron - Environmental Specialist
Robert C. Frey Ph. D. - Principal Investigator
20
-------
CERTIFICATION
The Ohio Department of Health prepared this Health Consultation under a cooperative
agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (A I SDR). At the time
this Health Consultation was written, it was in accordance with the approved methodologies and
procedures. Editorial review was completed by the Cooperative Agreement partner.
Technical Projeq/Oflkcr, Cooperative Agreement Team, CAPT.BTPI 1AC. Al'SDR
The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, ATS DR., lias reviewed this public health
consultation and concurs with the findings.
l&. //U W'
, Team Leader. Cooperative Ag/eement Feam/CAPHB. DIIAC. ATSDR
I > U
1/
21
-------
REFERENCES
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE REGISTRY (ATSDR), 1997.
Toxicological Profile for Trichloroethylene (TCE). September, 1997.
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE REGISTRY (ATSDR), 1996.
Toxicological Profile for 1,2-Dichloroethene. August, 1996.
DAYTON, 2000, McCook Field Neighborhood Planning District, 2000 Census of Population
and Housing, Summary File 3.
www.citvofdavton.org/planning/documents/2000Census/Northeast/McCookField - Jan 2008.
DAYTON, 2003, City of Dayton Priority Board and Neighborhood Profiles 2000 Census,
Department of Planning and Community Development, November 2003.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER, 2006, Letter to Watterworth, Ohio EPA, Re: Request for Information
Former DiamlerChryler Dayton Thermal Products Plant, Dayton, Ohio, from Gary Stanczuk.
September, 22, 2006.
EARTH TECH, 2002, Human Health Risk Evaluation, Daimler Chrysler Dayton Thermal,
August, 2002.
EARTH TECH, 2006, Groundwater Data Report.
Johnson-Ettinger (Johnson, P. C, and R. A. Ettinger). 1991. Heuristic model for predicting the
intrusion rate of contaminant vapors in buildings. Environ. Sci. Technol. 25: 1445-1452.
MIAMI CONSERVANCY DISTRICT, 2002, State of the Upper Great Miami Subwatershed.
Fall 2002.
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE (NAS). 2006. National Research Council Assessing the
Human Health Risks of TCE : Key Scientific Issues.
NATIONAL TOXICOLOGY PROGRAM (NTP). 2005. Report on Carcinogens: Eleventh
Edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Services, National
Toxicology Program. January 31, 2005.
OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (ODNR). 1995, Groundwater Pollution
Potential of Montgomery County, Ohio, Report No. 28, Ohio Department of Natural Resources,
Division of Water, Groundwater Resources Section, January 1995.
ODNR, 2001-2004, Well Logs North Dayton Area.
22
-------
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (USEPA), 2002, OSWER Draft Guidance
for Evaluating the Vapor Intrusion to Indoor Air Pathway from Groundwater and Soils,
Subsurface Vapor Intrusion Guidance, November 2002, EPA530-D-02-004
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (USEPA), 2006a, Pollution Report, Initial,
Behr VOC Plume Site. December 21, 2006.
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (USEPA), 2006b, Site Assessment Report
for BEHR VOC Plume Site, Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio. December 28, 2006. Prepared
by Weston Solutions, Inc.
USEPA, 2006c, USEPA Administrative Order of Consent. December 2006.
VOGEL T.M. AND MCCARTY P.L. 1985. Biotransformation of Tetrachloroethylene to
Trichloroethylene, Dichloroethylene, Vinyl Chloride, and Carbon Dioxide Under Methanogenic
Conditions. Appl Environ Microbial. 49:1080-1083.
23
-------
TABLES
24
-------
Table 1. Behr VOC Plume - Phase I
Volatile Organic Compound
MCL
OSWER
MW024S
MW025S
MW027S
MW028S
MW029S
MW030S
MW031S
Sample Date
ug/L
ug/L
3/7/2006
3/7/2006
3/7/2006
3/9/2006
11/18/2003
3/8/2006
3/9/2006
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
200
3,100
0.8U
0.8U
0.8U
46
16U
0.8U
0.8U
1,1-Dichloroethene
7
190
0.8U
0.8U
0.8U
4J
16U
0.8U
0.8U
Cis-1,2-Dichloroethene
70
210
0.8U
1J
0.8U
94
3800
0.8U
0.8U
Tetrachloroethylene
5
110
0.8U
1J
0.8U
4U
16U
0.8U
0.8U
Trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
100
180
0.8U
0.8U
0.8U
4U
29J
0.8U
0.8U
Trichloroethylene
5
5
1U
16
1U
3900
16000
1U
1U
Vinyl Chloride
2
2
1U
1U
1U
5U
730
1U
1U
Volatile Organic Compound
MCL
OSWER
MW032S
MW033S
MW034S
MW035S
MW036S
MW037S
MW038S
MW039S
Sample Date
ug/L
ug/L
11/14/2003
3/9/2006
11/17/2003
11/15/2003
11/16/2003
3/8/2006
3/9/2006
11/9/2005
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
200
3,100
6
18J
0.8U
9
2J
3J
12J
6
1,1-Dichloroethene
7
190
0.8U
4J
0.8U
0.8U
0.8U
0.8U
4U
6
Cis-1,2-Dichloroethene
70
210
7
690
16
62
120
3J
810
190
Tetrachloroethylene
5
110
0.9J
4U
1J
3J
0.8U
2J
4U
0.8U
Trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
100
180
0.8U
19J
0.9J
5J
3J
0.8U
19J
10
Trichloroethylene
5
5
250
3800
220
220
720
120
3900
310
Vinyl Chloride
2
2
1U
36
10
1U
1U
1U
18J
3J
Samples collected in 2006.
Concentration exceeds MCL.
Concentration exceeds MCL and OSWER guidance levels.
Sample quantitation limit is above the MCL.
J The associated value is an estimated quantity.
U The analyte was analyzed for, but was not detected. The associated value is a sample quantitation limit
OSWER Action levels were derived from the USEPA Draft Vapor Intrusion Guidance Document, 2002, based
on target groundwater concentrations at the 10-4 risk level
25
-------
Table 2. Behr VOC Plume Site - Phase I
Volatile Organic
Compound
OSWER
OSWER
SG-01
SG-02
SG-03
SG-04
SG-05
SG-06
SG-07
ppb
Shallow
Deep
1,1,1 -Trichloroethane
4,000
40,000
640
140*
1300
1500
160*
310
220
1,1-Dichloroethene
500
5000
300*
330*
1200
780
10
12
ND
Cis-1,2-Dichloroethene
88
880
10000
11000
5400
4800
410
1200
400*
Tetrachloroethylene
120
1200
33*
5
9
8
2
8
6
Trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
180
1800
770
390*
460*
210*
23
59*
34*
Trichloroethylene
4.1
41
120000
70000
160000
140000
13000
16000
12000
Vinyl Chloride
110
1100
92*
86*
45*
9
ND
2
ND
= Value exceeds calibration range.
= Indicates not detected at or above the EQL (estimated quantitation limit)
value.
Concentration exceeds OSWER's shallow soil gas value
Concentration exceeds OSWER's deep soil gas value
ND
26
-------
Table 3. Behr VOC Plume Site - Phase I
USEPA Sub-Slab Soil Gas Data, Oct./Nov. 2006
Volatile Organic
Screening
Immediate
EPA-
EPA-
EPA-
EPA-
EPA-
EPA-
EPA-
EPA-
Compound
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
ppb
Action
Level
Action
Level
1,1,1 -Trichloroethane
4,000
7,000
11
260
140
17
140
39
25
900
1,1-Dichloroethene
500
NA
4
52
45
ND
170
ND
ND
540
Cis-1,2-Dichloroethene
88
2000
57
3100
2900
2
7900
170
ND
4200
Tetrachloroethylene
120
2000
ND
37
30
5
23
2.1
0.85
3.8
Trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
180
2000
3
130
130
ND
340
13
0.19
230
Trichloroethylene
4
1000
980
18000
16000
260
62000
3700
49
62000
Vinyl Chloride
110
300
ND
10
14
ND
79
ND
ND
6.7
ND = Indicates not detected at method detection limits.
Concentration exceeds OSWER's Sub-Slab soil gas Screening Action Level
were derived from the USEPA Draft Vapor Intrusion Guidance Document, 2002,
based on target indoor air concentration at the 10-4 risk level.
Concentration exceeds ATSDR's Intermediate Sub-Slab soil gas Screening Action Level
derived from the ATSDR Intermediate Environmental Media Evaluation Guide for air.
27
-------
Table 4. Behr VOC Plume Site - Phase I
USEPA Indoor Air Data, Oct./Nov. 2006
Volatile Organic Compound
Screening
Action
Level
Immediate
Action
Level
EPA-01
EPA-02
EPA-03
EPA-04
EPA-05
EPA-06
EPA-07
EPA-08
ppb
1,1,1 -Trichloroethane
400
700
ND
1.4
0.99
0.5
1
4.9
ND
0.89
1,1-Dichloroethene
190
NA
Cis-1,2-Dichloroethene
8.8
200
ND
11
8.3
0.19
20
0.21
ND
1.9
Tetrachloroethylene
12
200
ND
0.2
0.13
0.24
0.13
0.12
ND
0.17
Trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
18
200
ND
0.5
0.34
ND
0.97
ND
ND
ND
Trichloroethylene
0.4
100
1.9
180
130
13
260
7.5
0.4
49
Vinyl Chloride
11
30
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND Indicates not detected at method detection limits.
Concentration exceeds OSWER's Indoor Air Action Level - derived from the USEPA
Draft Vapor Intrusion Guidance Document, 2002, based on target indoor air
concentration at the 10-4 risk level.
Concentration exceeds ATSDR's Intermediate Indoor Air Action Level - derived from
the ATSDR Intermediate Environmental Media Guide for air.
28
-------
FIGURES
-------
BEHRVOC PLUME SITE
| Ohio Sol© Source Aquifers
| | County Boundaries
Miles
FIGURE 1 -BEHR VOC PLUME LOCATION
AND
GREATER MIAMI SOLE SOURCE AQUIFER
Division of Drinking
and Ground Waters
Novem&er 24, 2006
30
-------
ONsEFft
August 2006
Behr Dayton Thermal Systems LLC
Residential Properties within 4500 Feet South
I L
500
I
1,000
Feet
J I L
2,000
i
LEGEND
Behr Dayton Thermal Systems LLC
Project Boundary
Residential Properties
Figure 2 Residential Properties South of the Behr Dayton Facility
31
-------
i
I
N
tu
UJ
q:
t-
w
a:
LU
h-
co
CO
Ui
s
B E H R-D AYTONITH E RM
LEO
BAR
STREET
ss
p
l_j Mr
^
% & $3
'' %
3$
1
Ml
AHVETB
o* n
srsr
i/r\r\
imHtm
awerican
LEGION
Un,ON HAU
B-N
PLATING
UJ
UJ
a:
K
(0
—I
UI
2
<
a
issw
V>/i
lAMAR STREET
CLAIRE RIDGE park
v'J/5/v
5SS
»'SS55
KELCOR
machine
HMsais
VV»;
UJ
>
<
2
tr
D
GQ
*§§8g
LEGEND
RESIDEMTIAL PROPERTIES H IRE PHASE IBEHR VDC PLUME AREA
PARK AREA
BEHR VCX* PLUHE PHASE I AREA RQUNDARES
FIGURE 3- RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES IN THE
BEHR VOC PLUME - PHASE I AREA
32
-------
(-AMASST.
LEONHAR05T.
LEGEND
<#~ GROUNDWATER MONITORING WELL LOCATION
~ PHASE I LOCATION
LJ MONITORING WELL&TCE LEVELS IN PPB
FIGURE4-TCE LEVELS IN GROUNDWATER 2003
BEHR VOC PLUME AREA
33
-------
Behr Dayton Thermal Systems LLC
'
W+rr1**i. J
Leo St
35f iEol
1L_0bb
¦Bl
SG-01 SG-02
' SG-05
SG-03
OhtoEFA
October 24, 2006
Behr Dayton Thermal Systems LLC
October 16, 2006 Soil Gas Sampling Locations
LEGEND
Belir Dayton ThermaJ Systems LLC
Project Boundary
75
150
300
I l I l L
Feet
J L
| Residential Prepenses
(J) Geoprobe Soil Gas Location
Figure 5 Ohio EPA Soil Gas Sample Locations
34
-------
APPENDIX A
35
-------
"ACTION LEVELS" (Parts per billion per volume) FOR CHLORINATED SOLVENTS
BEHR-DAYTON SITE, DAYTON, MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Residential
Short-term
Action Level1
Short-term
Action Level
Long-term
Screening
Level2
Long-term
Screening
Level
Chemical
Indoor
Residential
Sub-slab
Residential
Indoor
Residential
Sub-slab
Residential
T ri chl oroethy 1 ene
100
1,000
0.4
4.0
Perchl oroethy 1 ene
200
2,000
12
120
cis 1,2 DCE
200
2,000
8.8
88
trans 1,2 DCE
200
2,000
18
180
1,1,1 TCA
700
7,000
400
4,000
Vinyl chloride
30
300
11
110
= ATSDR Intermediate Environmental Media Evaluation Guide (EMEG) for air
2 = US EPA Draft Vapor Intrusion Guidance document (2002) [ Target Indoor air concentration
at the 10"4 Risk Level]
Note: TCE, PCE, and Vinyl chloride are considered to be human carcinogens and values are
based on a 10"4 cancer risk number. 1,2 DCE and 1,1,1 TCA are non-carcinogens and risk value
based on a chronic hazard index of 1.0
"Short-term Action Level" denotes a level that would trigger immediate action to be taken to
reduce exposure levels, either through installation of a sub-slab depressurization system,
improved ventilation, or some other action that could be implemented to reduce exposure until
the source could be remediated. The "Intermediate" ATSDR EMEG is used instead of the
"Acute" EMEG as these exposures would more likely represent something greater than 14 days
but less than a lifetime. As such, an exceedence does not necessarily indicate that the home
would be unsafe for occupancy, necessitating evacuation of residents. These numbers represent
fairly conservative screening criteria.
Evacuation might be a potential course of action if levels of COCs exceeded an Acute EMEG
value [2,000 ppb for TCE] or more appropriately a Temporary Emergency Exposure Limit
(TEEL) [= 100 ppm for TCE],
36
-------
Commercial
Short-term
Action Level
i
Short-term
Action Level
Long-term
Screening
Level2
Long-term
Screening
Level
Chemical
Indoor
Commercial
Sub-slab
Commercial
Indoor
Commercial
Sub-slab
Commercial
T ri chl oroethy 1 ene
420
4,200
1.7
17
Perchl oroethy 1 ene
840
8,400
50
500
cis 1,2 DCE
840
8,400
37
370
trans 1,2 DCE
840
8,400
76
760
1,1,1 TCA
Vinyl chloride
126
1,260
46
460
for 8-hr day
2 = Target Indoor air concentrations US EPA Vapor Intrusion Guidance document
(2001); adjusted for 8-hour day
37
-------
APPENDIX B
38
-------
The fact sheets for Exposure to Toxic Chemicals, the Vapor Intrusion
Pathway, and Trichloroethylene can be found at the Ohio Department of
Health web link;
www.odh.ohio.gov/odhPrograms/eh/hlth_as/chemfsl.aspx
39
-------
ATTACHMENT S
SSDS PROFICIENCY SAMPLE REMINDER FORM
-------
U.S. EPA Sample Reminder Form for
Vapor Abatement System Proficiency Samples
SAMPLE TIME:
PICK-UPTIME:
Date:
Date:
Time:
Time:
Location:
U. S. EPA Sampling Notes and Reminders:
1) U.S. EPA installed a vapor abatement system in your home
2) U.S. EPA will collect one indoor air sample from your property to measure the proficiency of
the system. The duration of the test is approximately 24 hours.
3) Analytical results will be submitted to the owner (and tenant(s), if applicable) approximately 4-6
weeks after sampling is completed.
4) The samples will be collected in a stainless steel summa canister. The canister is made of
clean stainless steel and does not contain any moving parts or chemicals. Please do not
handle or move the canister during the testing.
5) Please do not smoke around the canister and to the extent possible, please leave doors and
windows closed during testing.
6) During sampling, do not enter the room where there air samples are being collected. Activity
in the room has the potential to alter the air sample results.
7) If possible, do not bring dry cleaning home during the testing.
8) If you have any aggressive pets, please lock them up or place them into a separate room prior
to the sample team arriving at your property
9) U.S. EPA will offer to meet with each owner (and tenant(s), if applicable) to discuss the air
sample results.
10) As a courtesy, please be on time for your appointment.
11) If you have to reschedule your appointment, please contact U.S. EPA's technical contractor as
soon as possible at .
-------
ATTACHMENT T
PROFICIENCY SAMPLE RESULT LETTER - POST-INSTALLATION SAMPLE
RESULTS
-------
%
0 — * UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
\
ISIS,
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
February 1, 2009
John Smith (owner)
123 Main Street
Dayton, Ohio 45404
Dear Mr. Smith:
The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the 30-day proficiency sample results of the
indoor air sample collected from your property on January 15, 2009. The sample was
collected approximately 30 days following U.S. EPA installing a vapor abatement
mitigation system at your property. The sample results were reviewed by U.S. EPA to
determine the effectiveness of the system. We are specifically testing for the presence
of trichloroethylene (also known as TCE), which has been detected in the groundwater
under the neighborhood.
TCE is known as a volatile organic compound (VOC), which means it can easily
evaporate (turn from a liquid to a gas) when it is exposed to the soil or air. TCE has the
potential, as vapors, to move through the soils and work their way into building
substructures, such as basements, where it can accumulate in the indoor air.
The result for the indoor air sample collected at your property is presented below and is
identified as "Detected" where TCE was found in the samples. "ND" (no detection) is
used when there is a chemical concentration less than the laboratory's minimum
detection limit (the laboratory's minimum detection limit is written below in parentheses).
The air sample is measured in units called parts per billion by volume (ppbv). Following
the sample result is the "screening level" for the chemical. The Ohio Department of
Health (ODH) has recommended the screening level for indoor air.
Indoor Air Sampling Results:
TCE: ND (0.16) ppbv, ODH recommended screening level: 0.4 ppbv
The results from the indoor air sample collected at your property show that the
chemical TCE was not detected (ND) greater than 0.16 ppbv, which is less than the
indoor air screening level recommended by the ODH.
The indoor air result is beneath the TCE screening level recommended by the ODH.
The results show that the vapor abatement mitigation system is working properly and
effectively reducing the vapors beneath your property. U.S. EPA will be contacting you
in the near future about scheduling the 180-day proficiency sampling. U.S. EPA would
like to take this opportunity to thank you for participating in this mitigation program.
Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov
RecyctayRtcycliblt • Printed with Vegetable OU Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 25% Postconsumer)
-------
If you have health-related questions concerning this matter, please contact Dr. [Insert
Name] at the [insert name of health department] at [insert phone number]. If you have
questions related to the sampling or on-going site investigation, please feel free to
contact me at 513-569-7539.
Sincerely,
Steven L. Renninger
On-Scene Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 5
Attachments: Analytical Results
-------
ANALYTICAL RESULTS
-------
ATTACHMENT U
EXAMPLE O&M MANUAL
-------
Vapor Abatement System Manual
for
123 Main Street
Dayton, OH 45404
Compiled by:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5
vvEPA
KGION V
EMERGENCY
RESPONSE
TEAM
-------
%
0 — * UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
ISIS,
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
5
September 11, 2008
John Smith (owner)
123 Main Street
Dayton, OH 45404
Dear Mr. Smith:
Based upon the results of sub-slab (the space under your basement floor) and/or indoor air
sampling at your property, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) installed a Vapor
Abatement System (VAS) as part of the Behr VOC Removal Action. The VAS was installed by
U.S. EPA to lower the indoor air trichloroethylene (TCE) level to below levels provided by the
Ohio Department of Health (ODH). Elevated levels of TCE in the indoor and/or sub-slab air was
the result of the TCE groundwater contamination associated with the Behr VOC Plume Site.
Sampling conducted by U.S. EPA at 30 and 90 days following VAS installation has confirmed
that the indoor air TCE level is below the ODH indoor air screening level of 0.4 ppbv. U.S. EPA
does not plan to conduct additional sampling at your property.
The following manual provides a brief description of the VAS installed in your property, included
in this manual are the air sampling results of all air sampling conducted at your property; photos
of each component of your VAS and its function; U.S. EPA project website information; and
contact information for any questions you may have regarding the warranty of the VAS. In
addition, enclosed with this manual is a key to the system "On/Off" switch located on the exterior
of the property. The system is designed to remain in the "On" position at all times to ensure its
effectiveness at lowering the indoor air TCE level at the property.
Additional documents in this package include:
1. Access Agreement for Air Sampling
2. Vapor Abatement System Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Agreement
3. Pre-mitigation Sample Results (Baseline Sampling) - Sub-Slab and/or Indoor Air
Sampling Letter, Analytical Results and ODH Fact Sheets
4. Vapor Abatement System Proficiency Sample Results - 30 days
5. Vapor Abatement System Proficiency Sample Results - 90 days
6. U.S. EPA Website Information
7. Warranty Information and Contact Information for the Vapor Abatement System
If you have health-related questions concerning this matter, please contact Dr. Bob Frey at the
Ohio Department of Health at 614-466-1069. If you have questions related to the sampling or
on-going site investigation, please contact me at 513-569-7539.
Sincerely,
Steven L. Renninger
On-Scene Coordinator - U.S. EPA Region 5
Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov
RecyctayRtcycliblt • Printed with Vegetable OU Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 25% Postconsumer)
-------
Vapor Abatement System - Standard
Components
¦9
~ -
\
1
¦1
P
01 29.2008
• Photo showing the fan and power-switch portion of the VAS; the fan creates a
vacuum under the concrete slab floor or crawlspace. The vacuum draws vapors
from under your home and into a PVC pipe system that is vented above the
structure. The fan must be "On" and running 24-hours a day to ensure the VAS
is operating effectively.
• Photo showing close-up of the locked "On/Off" switch located on the exterior of
your structure. The system is designed to run in the "on" position at all times to
ensure it is effective.
-------
• Photo showing the sub-slab vapor extraction points; PVC piping extends below
the concrete slab or crawlspace liner. PVC piping extends upward to an
overhead piping system routed to an "in-line" fan located on the exterior of your
structure.
lift
1
If
»i
'j*i
i 1
'1
»=
1
¦
• Photo showing the "U-tube" Manometer (vacuum pressure gauge); the "U-tube"
will display a reading greater than zero (0 inches of water column) on the side
where the small poly tubing is located when the system is operating effectively.
-------
Photo showing the effluent vent (exhaust) for the VAS; the vapors are vented
above the roof-line of your structure. The vent pipe must be clear of obstructions
at all times. This includes caps and covers.
Photo of sub-slab and indoor air samples being collected.
-------
1. Access Agreement for
Sampling
2. Vapor Abatement
System O&M Agreement
3. Pre-Mitigation Sample
Results (Baseline
Sampling)
4. Vapor Abatement
System Proficiency
Sample Results - 30 days
5. Vapor Abatement
System Proficiency
Sample Results - 90 days
6. U.S. EPA Website
Information
7. Vapor Abatement
System Warranty
Information
-------
SECTION 1
-------
UNITED S
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CINCINNATI, OHIO 46266
Name (please print):
Address of property
to be sampled
Home Phone #
Cell Phone #
I consent to officers, employees, contractors, and authorized representatives of the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) entering and having continued access to this property for the following purpose:
• Conducting air monitoring and air sampling activities;
I realize that these actions taken by U.S. EPA are undertaken pursuant to its response and enforcement
responsibilities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq.
This written permission is given by me voluntarily, on behalf of myself and all other co-owners of this property,
with knowledge of my right to refuse and without threats or promises of any kind.
Date Signature
Sample Location Questions:
1. Are you the Owner or the Tenant of the home or building? If you are the owner, go to #3.
2. If you are the Tenant, please write in the owner's name: Go to #3 and
write in owner's address and phone number.
3. If you are the owner but live at a different address, write your address below (this is the address where
the sample results will be mailed to, otherwise, the results will be mailed to the address at the top of the
page):
Owner's Address:
Home Phone #
Cell Phone #
4. Does the home or building have a basement? Yes No (If no, you are done)
5. If yes, does the basement have a concrete slab? Yes No
6. If no, does the basement have a dirt floor? Yes No
I DO NOT authorize access by U.S. EPA at the above-referenced property.
Print Name
Signature
Date
-------
SECTION 2
-------
/t08^
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
X
c
NAME: John Smith
ADDRESS: 123 Main Street
Dayton, Ohio 45404
PHONE: 937-555-1234
PROPERTY OWNER: X TENANT
Re: Behr VOC Plume Site - Residential Vapor Abatement System
On November 27, 2007, the U.S. EPA completed indoor air sampling at 123 Main Street
as part of the investigation at the Behr VOC Plume Site located in Dayton, Ohio. The
purpose of this letter is to inform you that trichloroethylene (TCE) was observed to be
present at a concentration of 12 parts per billion by volume (ppbv), which is greater than
the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and Ohio Department
of Health (ODH) indoor air TCE screening level of 0.4 ppbv.
As part of the U.S. EPA time-critical removal action at the Behr VOC Plume Site, the
U.S. EPA proposes to install a vapor abatement system in residences with elevated
TCE concentrations in the residential indoor air. If the system is accepted by the
property owner, the U.S. EPA will purchase the vapor abatement system and pay for
the basic costs of installation1. The U.S. EPA has arranged for Environmental Quality
Management to install a vapor abatement system in your home designed to vent TCE
vapors to below the recommended indoor air screening levels established by ATSDR
and the ODH. The vapor abatement system includes PVC piping and an inline fan to
vent vapors from beiow the residence foundation to above the roofline.
Following the installation of the residential vapor abatement system, performance
sampling will be conducted by the U.S. EPA to ensure that the residential indoor air
quality is below the ATSDR and ODH screening level for TCE. Performance sampling
will be conducted at 30 days and 90 days after system installation. The U.S. EPA will
provide the property owner a system information binder that will include a description of
the vapor abatement system, photographs, sample data, and fan warranty information.
Following successful performance sampling of the residential vapor abatement system,
operation & maintenance (O&M) of the vapor abatement system will be the property
owner's responsibility. Such O&M is estimated to cost an average of $75/year, which
basically includes the cost of the electricity to power the inline fan.
1 U.S. EPA will not necessarily pay the costs of associated decorative or cosmetic
treatments, or of installation options that are not deemed a "required" installation by the Agency.
Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov
Recycltdf-ifccyclabU . Printed with Vegetable Oil Based inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 25% Fostconsumer)
-------
If you have health related questions, please contact Dr. Bob Frey of ODH at 614-466-
1069. If you have questions concerning the vapor abatement system or the Behr VOC
Plume Site removal action, please contact me at 513-569-7539.
Steve Renninger
U.S. EPA On-Scene Coordinator
Please sign below to indicate that you accept the described vapor abatement system
and agree to operation & maintenance as described above, or that you decline the
described vapor abatement system for your property:
I agree to and accept the terms set forth above:
Name Signature Date
I have reviewed the above information and decline the described system:
Sincerely,
Name
Signature
Date
-------
SECTION 3
-------
/t08^
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
X
c
December 7, 2007
John Smith
123 Main Street
Dayton, Ohio 45404
Dear Mr. Smith:
The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the results of the sub-slab (the space under
your basement floor) and indoor air samples collected from your property on November
27, 2007. As you know, the U.S. EPA collected these samples to see if soil vapors from
the Behr Dayton Thermal Systems facility (previously owned by Chrysler) are moving
through the soils and entering the air inside your property. We are specifically testing
for the presence of trichloroethylene (also known as TCE), which has been detected in
the groundwater under the neighborhood.
TCE is known as a volatile organic compound (VOC), which means it can easily
evaporate (turn from a liquid to a gas) when it is exposed to the soil or air. TCE has the
potential, as vapors, to move through the soils and work their way into building
substructures, such as basements, where it can accumulate in the indoor air.
The results for the sub-slab and indoor air samples collected at your property are
presented below and are identified as "Detected" where TCE was found in the samples.
The air samples are measured in units called parts per billion by volume (ppbv).
Following the result for each sample is the "screening level" for the chemical. The Ohio
Department of Health (ODH) has recommended the screening levels for sub-slab and
indoor air.
Sub-Slab Sampling Results:
TCE: 2,400 ppbv, ODH recommended screening level: 4 ppbv
The results from the sub-slab air sample collected at your property show that the
chemical TCE was detected at 2,400 ppbv, which is greater than the sub-slab screening
level recommended by the ODH.
Indoor Air Sampling Results:
TCE: 12 ppbv, ODH recommended screening level: 0.4 ppbv
The results from the indoor air sample collected at your property show that the
chemical TCE was detected at 12 ppbv, which is greater than the indoor air screening
level recommended by the ODH.
Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov
Recycltdf-ifccyclabU . Printed with Vegetable Oil Based inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 25% Fostconsumer)
-------
The sub-slab and indoor exceedances do not necessarily mean that you will experience
health effects, only that there is a need for the installation of a vapor abatement
mitigation system and additional follow-up proficiency sampling. U.S. EPA will be
contacting you in the near future about scheduling the installation of a vapor abatement
mitigation system designed to lower the levels of VOCs in the indoor air.
If you have health-related questions concerning this matter, please contact Dr. Bob Frey
at the Ohio Department of Health at 614-466-1069. If you have questions related to the
sampling or on-going site investigation, please feel free to contact me at 513-569-7539.
Sincerely,
Steven L. Renninger
On-Scene Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 5
Attachments: Analytical Results
ODH Fact Sheets (3)
cc: Site File
-------
SUB-SLAB AIR SAMPLE RESULTS
-------
^Toxics ltd.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL LABORATORY
Client Sample ID:^^^^HSS 112707
Lab ID#: 0711566B-09A
MODIFIED EPA METHOD TO-15 GC/MS FULL SCAN
File Name:
5120414
Date of Collection
11/27/07
Dil. Factor:
28.2
Date of Analysis:
12/4/07 04:39 PM
Rot. Limit
Amount
Rpt. Limit
Amount
Compound
(PPbv)
(PPbv)
(uG/m3)
(uG/m3)
Freon 12
14
Not Detected
70
Not Detected
Freon 114
14
Not Detected
98
Not Detected
Chloromethane
56
Not Detected
120
Not Detected
Vinyl Chloride
14
Not Detected
36
Not Detected
1,3-Butadiene
14
Not Detected
31
Not Detected
Bromomethane
14
Not Detected
55
Not Detected
Chloroethane
14
Not Detected
37
Not Detected
Freon 11
14
Not Detected
79
Not Detected
Ethanol
56
Not Detected
110
Not Detected
Freon 113
14
Not Detected
110
Not Detected
1,1-Dichloroethene
14
Not Detected
56
Not Detected
Acetone
56
Not Detected
130
Not Detected
2-Propanol
56
Not Detected
140
Not Detected
Carbon Disulfide
14
Not Detected
44
Not Detected
3-Chloropropene
56
Not Detected
180
Not Detected
Methylene Chloride
14
Not Detected
49
Not Detected
Methyl tert-butyl ether
14
Not Detected
51
Not Detected
trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
14
Not Detected
56
Not Detected
Hexane
14
Not Detected
50
Not Detected
1,1-Dichloroethane
14
Not Detected
57
Not Detected
2-Butanone (Methyl Ethyl Ketone)
14
Not Detected
42
Not Detected
cis-1,2-Dichloroethene
14
83
56
330
Tetrahydrofuran
14
Not Detected
42
Not Detected
Chloroform
14
Not Detected
69
Not Detected
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
14
Not Detected
77
Not Detected
Cyclohexane
14
Not Detected
48
Not Detected
Carbon Tetrachloride
14
Not Detected
89
Not Detected
2,2,4-T rimethylpentane
14
Not Detected
66
Not Detected
Benzene
14
Not Detected
45
Not Detected
1,2-Dichloroethane
14
Not Detected
57
Not Detected
Heptane
14
Not Detected
58
Not Detected
Trichloroethene
14
2400
76
13000
1,2-Dichloropropane
14
Not Detected
65
Not Detected
1,4-Dioxane
56
Not Detected
200
Not Detected
Bromodichloromethane
14
Not Detected
94
Not Detected
cis-1,3-Dichloropropene
14
Not Detected
64
Not Detected
4-Methyl-2-pentanone
14
Not Detected
58
Not Detected
Toluene
14
Not Detected
53
Not Detected
trans-1,3-Dichloropropene
14
Not Detected
64
Not Detected
Page 10 of 19
-------
^Toxics ltd.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL LABORATORY
Client Sample ID:^^^^HSS 112707
Lab ID#: 0711566B-09A
MODIFIED EPA METHOD TO-15 GC/MS FULL SCAN
File Name:
5120414
Date of Collection
11/27/07
Dil. Factor:
28.2
Date of Analysis:
12/4/07 04:39 PM
Rot. Limit
Amount
Rpt. Limit
Amount
Compound
(PPbv)
(PPbv)
(uG/m3)
(uG/m3)
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
14
Not Detected
77
Not Detected
Tetrachloroethene
14
300
96
2100
2-Hexanone
56
Not Detected
230
Not Detected
Dibromochloromethane
14
Not Detected
120
Not Detected
1,2-Dibromoethane (EDB)
14
Not Detected
110
Not Detected
Chlorobenzene
14
Not Detected
65
Not Detected
Ethyl Benzene
14
Not Detected
61
Not Detected
m,p-Xylene
14
Not Detected
61
Not Detected
o-Xylene
14
Not Detected
61
Not Detected
Styrene
14
Not Detected
60
Not Detected
Bromoform
14
Not Detected
140
Not Detected
Cumene
14
Not Detected
69
Not Detected
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
14
Not Detected
97
Not Detected
Propylbenzene
14
Not Detected
69
Not Detected
4-Ethyltoluene
14
Not Detected
69
Not Detected
1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene
14
Not Detected
69
Not Detected
1,2,4-T rimethylbenzene
14
Not Detected
69
Not Detected
1,3-Dichlorobenzene
14
Not Detected
85
Not Detected
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
14
Not Detected
85
Not Detected
alpha-Chlorotoluene
14
Not Detected
73
Not Detected
1,2-Dichlorobenzene
14
Not Detected
85
Not Detected
1,2,4-T richlorobenzene
56
Not Detected
420
Not Detected
Hexachlorobutadiene
56
Not Detected
600
Not Detected
Container Type: 6 Liter Summa Canister
Method
Surrogates
% Recovery
Limits
Toluene-d8
98
70-130
1,2-Dichloroethane-d4
98
70-130
4-Bromofluorobenzene
98
70-130
Page 11 of 19
-------
INDOOR AIR SAMPLE RESULTS
-------
^Toxics ltd.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL LABORATORY
Client Sample 112707
Lab ID#: 0711566A-11A
MODIFIED EPA METHOD TO-15 GC/MS FULL SCAN
File Name:
s113016
Date of Collection
11/27/07
Dil. Factor:
1.64
Date of Analysis:
11/30/07 09:13 PM
Rot. Limit
Amount
Rpt. Limit
Amount
Compound
(PPbv)
(PPbv)
(uG/m3)
(uG/m3)
Freon 12
0.16
0.40
0.81
2.0
Freon 114
0.16
Not Detected
1.1
Not Detected
Chloromethane
0.16
0.81
0.34
1.7
Vinyl Chloride
0.16
Not Detected
0.42
Not Detected
1,3-Butadiene
0.16
0.28
0.36
0.61
Bromomethane
0.16
Not Detected
0.64
Not Detected
Chloroethane
0.16
Not Detected
0.43
Not Detected
Freon 11
0.16
0.27
0.92
1.5
Ethanol
0.82
160 E
1.5
290 E
Freon 113
0.16
Not Detected
1.2
Not Detected
1,1-Dichloroethene
0.16
Not Detected
0.65
Not Detected
Acetone
0.82
5.9
1.9
14
2-Propanol
0.82
0.87
2.0
2.1
Carbon Disulfide
0.82
Not Detected
2.6
Not Detected
Methylene Chloride
0.33
0.36
1.1
1.2
Methyl tert-butyl ether
0.16
Not Detected
0.59
Not Detected
trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
0.16
Not Detected
0.65
Not Detected
Hexane
0.16
2.0
0.58
6.9
1,1-Dichloroethane
0.16
Not Detected
0.66
Not Detected
2-Butanone (Methyl Ethyl Ketone)
0.16
1.8
0.48
5.2
cis-1,2-Dichloroethene
0.16
0.30
0.65
1.2
Tetrahydrofuran
0.82
Not Detected
2.4
Not Detected
Chloroform
0.16
Not Detected
0.80
Not Detected
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
0.16
Not Detected
0.89
Not Detected
Cyclohexane
0.16
0.27
0.56
0.94
Carbon Tetrachloride
0.16
0.18
1.0
1.1
Benzene
0.16
1.4
0.52
4.6
1,2-Dichloroethane
0.16
Not Detected
0.66
Not Detected
Heptane
0.16
0.75
0.67
3.1
Trichloroethene
0.16
12
0.88
66
1,2-Dichloropropane
0.16
Not Detected
0.76
Not Detected
1,4-Dioxane
0.16
Not Detected
0.59
Not Detected
Bromodichloromethane
0.16
Not Detected
1.1
Not Detected
cis-1,3-Dichloropropene
0.16
Not Detected
0.74
Not Detected
4-Methyl-2-pentanone
0.16
Not Detected
0.67
Not Detected
Toluene
0.16
4.8
0.62
18
trans-1,3-Dichloropropene
0.16
Not Detected
0.74
Not Detected
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
0.16
Not Detected
0.89
Not Detected
Tetrachloroethene
0.16
1.6
1.1
11
Page 21 of 30
-------
^Toxics ltd.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL LABORATORY
Client Sample 112707
Lab ID#: 0711566A-11A
MODIFIED EPA METHOD TO-15 GC/MS FULL SCAN
File Name:
s113016
Date of Collection
11/27/07
Dil. Factor:
1.64
Date of Analysis:
11/30/07 09:13 PM
Rot. Limit
Amount
Rpt. Limit
Amount
Compound
(PPbv)
(PPbv)
(uG/m3)
(uG/m3)
2-Hexanone
0.82
Not Detected
3.4
Not Detected
Dibromochloromethane
0.16
Not Detected
1.4
Not Detected
1,2-Dibromoethane (EDB)
0.16
Not Detected
1.3
Not Detected
Chlorobenzene
0.16
Not Detected
0.76
Not Detected
Ethyl Benzene
0.16
0.92
0.71
4.0
m,p-Xylene
0.16
2.9
0.71
13
o-Xylene
0.16
1.0
0.71
4.4
Styrene
0.16
Not Detected
0.70
Not Detected
Bromoform
0.16
Not Detected
1.7
Not Detected
Cumene
0.16
Not Detected
0.81
Not Detected
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
0.16
Not Detected
1.1
Not Detected
Propylbenzene
0.16
0.24
0.81
1.2
4-Ethyltoluene
0.16
1.0
0.81
5.1
1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene
0.16
0.37
0.81
1.8
1,2,4-T rimethylbenzene
0.16
1.1
0.81
5.6
1,3-Dichlorobenzene
0.16
Not Detected
0.99
Not Detected
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
0.16
Not Detected
0.99
Not Detected
alpha-Chlorotoluene
0.16
Not Detected
0.85
Not Detected
1,2-Dichlorobenzene
0.16
Not Detected
0.99
Not Detected
1,2,4-T richlorobenzene
0.82
Not Detected
6.1
Not Detected
Hexachlorobutadiene 0.82 Not Detected 8.7 Not Detected
E = Exceeds instrument calibration range.
Container Type: 6 Liter Summa Canister (100% Certified)
Method
Surrogates
% Recovery
Limits
1,2-Dichloroethane-d4
106
70-130
Toluene-d8
93
70-130
4-Bromofluorobenzene
110
70-130
Page 22 of 30
-------
Bureau of
Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
To protect and improve the health of all Ohioans
Trichloroethylene (TCE)
(try- klor'oh eth'uh- leen)
Answers to Frequently Asked Health Questions
What is TCE?
TCE is man-made chemical that is not found naturally in
the environment. TCE is a non-flammable (does not burn),
colorless liquid with a somewhat sweet odor and has a
sweet, "burning" taste. It is mainly used as a cleaner to
remove grease from metal parts. TCE can also be found
in glues, paint removers, typewriter correction fluids and
spot removers.
The biggest source of TCE in the environment comes from
evaporation (changing from a liquid into a vapor/gas) when
industries use TCE to remove grease from metals. But
TCE also enters the air when we use common household
products that contain TCE. It can also enter the soil and
water as the result of spills or improper disposal.
What happens to TCE in the
environment?
^ TCE will quickly evaporate from the surface waters
of rivers, lakes, streams, creeks and puddles.
^ If TCE is spilled on the ground, some of it will
evaporate and some of it may leak down into the
ground. When it rains, TCE can sink through the
soils and into the ground (underground drinking)
water.
^ When TCE is in an oxygen-poor environment and
with time, it will break down into different chemicals
such as 1,2 Dichloroethene and Vinyl Chloride.
^ TCE does not build up in plants and animals.
^ The TCE found in foods is believed to come from
TCE contaminated water used in food processing
or from food processing equipment cleaned with
TCE.
How does TCE get into your body?
^ TCE can get into your body by breathing
(inhalation) air that is polluted with TCE vapors.
The vapors can be produced from the
manufacturing of TCE, from TCE polluted water
evaporating in the shower or by using household
products such as spot removers and typewriter
correction fluid.
^ TCE can get into your body by drinking (ingestion)
TCE polluted water.
^ Small amounts of TCE can get into your body
through skin (dermal) contact. This can take place
when using TCE as a cleaner to remove grease
from metal parts or by contact with TCE polluted
soils.
Can TCE make you sick?
Yes, you can get sick from TCE. But getting sick will depend
on the following:
> How much you were exposed to (dose).
> How long you were exposed (duration).
> How often you were exposed (frequency).
> General Health. Age, Lifestyle Young children, the
elderly and people with chronic (on-going) health
problems are more at risk to chemical exposures.
How does TCE affect your health?
Breathing (Inhalation):
^ Breathing high levels of TCE may cause
headaches, lung irritation, dizziness, poor
coordination (clumsy) and difficulty concentrating.
^ Breathing very high levels of TCE for long periods
may cause nerve, kidney and liver damage.
Drinking (Ingestion):
^ Drinking high concentrations of TCE in the water
for long periods may cause liver and kidney
damage, harm immune system functions and
damage fetal development in pregnant women
(although the extent of some of these effects is not
yet clear).
^ It is uncertain whether drinking low levels of TCE
will lead to adverse health effects.
Skin (Dermal) Contact:
^ Short periods of skin contact with high levels of
TCE may cause skin rashes.
0°r
m
-------
Does TCE cause cancer?
The National Toxicology Program's 11th Report on
Carcinogens places chemicals into one of two cancer-
causing categories: Known to be Human Carcinogens
and Reasonably Anticipated to be Human Carcinogens.
The11th Report on Carcinogens states TCE is "Reasonably
Anticipated to be Human Carcinogen."
The category "Reasonably Anticipated to be Human
Carcinogen" gathers evidence mainly from animal studies.
There may be limited human studies or there may be no
human or animal study evidence to support carcinogenicity;
but the agent, substance or mixture belongs to a well-
defined class of substances that are known to be
carcinogenic.
There are human studies of communities that were
exposed to high levels of TCE in drinking water and they
have found evidence of increased leukemia's. But the
residents of these communities were also exposed to other
solvents and may have had other risk factors associated
with this type of cancer.
Animal lab studies in mice and rats have suggested that
high levels of TCE may cause liver, lung, kidney and blood
(lymphoma) cancers.
As part of the National Exposure Subregistry, the Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
compiled data on 4,280 residents of three states (Michigan,
Illinois, and Indiana) who had environmental exposure to
TCE. ATSDR found no definitive evidence for an excess of
cancers from these TCE exposures.
The U.S. EPA is currently reviewing the carcinogenicity of
TCE.
Is there a medical test to show
whether you have been exposed
to TCE?
If you have recently been exposed to TCE, it can be
detected in your breath, blood, or urine. The breath test, if
done soon after exposure, can tell if you have been
exposed to even a small amount of TCE.
Exposure to larger amounts is measured in blood and urine
tests. These tests detect TCE and many of its breakdown
products for up to a week after exposure. However,
exposure to other similar chemicals can produce the same
breakdown products in the blood and urine so the detection
of the breakdown products is not absolute proof of
exposure to TCE.
These tests aren't available at most doctors' offices, but
can be done at special laboratories that have the right
equipment. Note: Tests can determine if you have been
exposed to TCE but cannot predict if you will experience
adverse health effects from the exposure.
Has the federal government made
recommendations to protect
human health?
The federal government develops regulations and
recommendations to protect public health and these
regulations can be enforced by law.
Recommendations and regulations are periodically updated
as more information becomes available. Some regulations
and recommendations for TCE follow:
^ The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
set a maximum contaminant level for TCE in
drinking water at 0.005 milligrams per liter (0.005
mg/L) or 5 parts of TCE per billion parts water (5
ppb).
^ The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) have set an exposure limit of 100 ppm (or
100 parts of TCE per million parts of air) for an 8-
hour workday, 40-hour workweek.
^ The EPA has developed regulations for the
handling and disposal of TCE.
References
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR). 1997. Toxicological profile for TCE (electronic at
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts19.html)
Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition; U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service,
National Toxicology Program, 2005 (2005 electronic at
http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/toc11 .html)
The Ohio Department of Health is in
cooperative agreement with the Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR), Public Health Service, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.
This pamphlet was created by the Ohio
Department of Health, Bureau of
Environmental Health, Health Assessment
Section and supported in whole by funds
from the Cooperative Agreement Program
grant from the ATSDR.
Atsdr
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES
AND OlSEASt REGISTRY
Updated 10/12/06
-------
Bureau of
Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
Answers to Frequently Asked Health Questions
"To protect and improve the health of all Ohioans"
How are we exposed to chemicals?
We come in contact with many different chemicals every day
that are non-toxic and normally do not cause health problems.
But any chemical could become toxic if a person comes in
contact with high enough doses. For example: Aspirin will cure
a headache but too much aspirin becomes toxic and can
cause serious health problems. You can get sick from contact
with chemicals but getting sick will depend on the following:
> How much you were exposed to (dose).
> How long you were exposed (duration).
> How often you were exposed (frequency).
> General Health. Age, Lifestyle
Young children, the elderly and people with chronic
(on-going) health problems are more at risk to
chemical exposures.
Other factors that increase health
risks are:
> Current health status (if you are ill or healthy).
> Lifestyle, age, and weight.
> Smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking certain medicines
or drugs.
> Allergies to certain chemicals.
> Past chemical exposure.
> Working in an industry/factory that makes or uses
chemicals.
What is a completed exposure pathway?
Chemicals must have a way to get into a person's body to
cause health problems. This process of those chemicals
getting into our bodies is called an exposure pathway. A
completed exposure pathway includes all of the following 5
links between a chemical source and the people who are
exposed to that chemical.
(1) A Source of the chemical (where the chemical came
from);
(2) Environmental Transport (the way the chemical
moves from the source to the public. This can take
place through the soil, air, underground drinking water
or surface water);
(3) Point of Exposure (the place where there is physical
contact with the chemical. This could be on-site as
well as off-site);
(4) A Route of Exposure (how people came into the
physical contact with the chemical. This can take
place by drinking, eating, breathing or touching it);
(5) People Who Could be Exposed (people that live near
a facility who are most likely to come into physical
contact with the site-related chemical).
What are exposure routes?
There are three ways (routes) a person can come in contact
with toxic chemicals. They include:
> Breathing (inhalation).
> Eating and drinking (ingestion).
> Skin contact (dermal contact).
Inhalation (breathing)
Chemicals can enter our body through the air we breathe.
These chemicals can come in the form of dust, mist, or fumes.
Some chemicals may stay in the lungs and damage lung cells.
Other chemicals may pass through lung tissue, enter the
bloodstream, and affect other parts of our body.
Ingestion (eating or drinking)
The body can absorb chemicals in the stomach from the foods
we eat or the liquids we drink. Chemicals may also be in the
dust or soil we swallow. These chemicals can enter our blood
and affect other parts of our body.
Dermal (skin) Contact
Chemicals can enter our body through our skin. We can come
in contact with water polluted by chemicals or touch polluted
soil. Some chemicals pass through our skin and enter our
bloodstream, affecting other parts of our body.
For more information contact:
Ohio Department of Health
Health Assessment Section
246 North High Street, 5th Floor
Columbus OH 43215
Phone: 614-466-1390
Fax: 614-644-4556
Atsdr
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES
AND DISEASE REGISTRY
The Ohio Department of Health is in cooperative
agreement with the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR),
Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services.
This pamphlet was created by the Ohio
Department of Health, Health Assessment
Section and supported in whole by funds from
the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act trust fund.
Revised 10/28/03
-------
Bureau of
Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
To protect and improve the health of all Ohioans"
Vapor Intrusion
Answers to Frequently Asked Health Questions
Basement
Crawl s
Chemical LeakP
water flow
Soil
Groundwater
What is vapor intrusion?
Vapor intrusion refers to the vapors produced by a chemical
spill/leak that make their way into indoor air. When
chemicals are spilled on the ground or leak from an
underground storage tank, they will seep into the soils and
will sometimes make their way into the groundwater
(underground drinking water). There are a group of
chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that
easily produce vapors. These vapors can travel through
soils, especially if the soils are sandy and loose or have a lot
of cracks (fissures). These vapors can then enter a home
through cracks in the foundation or into a basement with a
dirt floor or concrete slab.
VOCs and vapors:
VOCs can be found in petroleum products such as gasoline
or diesel fuels, in solvents used for industrial cleaning and
are also used in dry cleaning. If there is a large spill or leak
resulting in soil or groundwater contamination, vapor
intrusion may be possible and should be considered a
potential public health concern that may require further
investigation.
Although large spills or leaks are a public health concern,
other sources of VOCs are found in everyday household
products and are a more common source of poor indoor air
quality. Common products such as paint, paint strippers and
thinners, hobby supplies (glues), solvents, stored fuels
(gasoline or home heating fuel), aerosol sprays, new
carpeting or furniture, cigarette smoke, moth balls, air
fresheners and dry-cleaned clothing all contain VOCs.
b
If
Can you get sick from vapor
intrusion?
You can get sick from breathing harmful chemical
vapors. But getting sick will depend on:
How much you were exposed to (dose).
How long you were exposed (duration).
How often you were exposed (frequency).
How toxic the spill/leak chemicals are.
General Health, age, lifestyle: Young children, the
elderly and people with chronic (on-going) health
problems are more at risk to chemical exposures.
VOC vapors at high levels can cause a strong
petroleum or solvent odor and some persons may
experience eye and respiratory irritation, headache
and/or nausea (upset stomach). These symptoms
are usually temporary and go away when the person
is moved to fresh air.
Lower levels of vapors may go unnoticed and a
person may feel no health effects. A few individual
VOCs are known carcinogens (cause cancer).
Health officials are concerned with low-level
chemical exposures that happen over many years
and may raise a person's lifetime risk for developing
cancer.
How is vapor intrusion
investigated?
In most cases, collecting soil gas or groundwater
samples near the spill site is done first to see if
there is on-site contamination. If soil vapors or
groundwater contamination are detected at a spill
site, environmental protection and public health
officials may then ask that soil vapor samples be
taken from areas outside the immediate spill site and
near any potential affected business or home. The
Ohio Department of Health (ODH) does not usually
recommend indoor air sampling for vapor intrusion
before the on-site contamination is determined.
(continued on next page)
-------
What can you do to improve
your indoor air quality?
As stated before, the most likely source of VOCs in
indoor air comes from the common items that are
found in most homes. The following helpful hints will
help improve air quality inside your home:
~ Do not buy more chemicals than you need
and know what products contain VOCs.
~ If you have a garage or an out building such
as a shed, place the properly stored VOC-
containing chemicals outside and away from
your family living areas.
~ Immediately clean and ventilate any VOC
spill area.
~ If you smoke, go outside and/or open the
windows to ventilate the second-hand, VOC-
containing smoke outdoors.
~ Make sure all your major appliances and
fireplace(s) are in good condition and not
leaking harmful VOC vapors. Fix all
appliance and fireplace leaks promptly, as
well as other leaks that cause moisture
problems that encourage mold growth.
~ Most VOCs are a fire hazard. Make sure
these chemicals are stored in appropriate
containers and in a well-ventilated location
and away from an open pilot light (flame) of
a gas water heater or furnace.
~ Fresh air will help prevent both build up of
chemical vapors in the air and mold growth.
Occasionally open the windows and doors
and ventilate.
~ Test your home for radon and install a radon
detector.
References:
Wisconsin Department of Health and
Family Services, Environmental
Health Resources, Vapor Intrusion,
electronic, 2004.
New York State Department of
Health, Center for Environmental
Health, April 2003.
Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental
Health, Indoor Environment Program, 2004.
For more information contact:
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Environmental Health
Health Assessment Section
246 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-1390
Fax: (614) 466-4556
How is vapor intrusion
investigated? (continued)
Because a variety of VOC sources are present in most
homes, testing will not necessarily confirm VOCs in the
indoor air are from VOC contamination in soils at nearby spill
site. But if additional sampling is recommended, samples
may be taken from beneath the home's foundation (called
sub-slab samples), to see if vapors have reached the home.
Sub-slab samples are more reliable than indoor air samples
and are not as affected by other indoor chemical sources. If
there was a need for additional sampling on a private
property, homeowners would be contacted by the cleanup
contractor or others working on the cleanup site and their
cooperation and consent would be requested before any
testing/sampling would be done.
What happens if a vapor intrusion
problem is found?
If vapor intrusion is having an effect on the air in your home,
the most common solution is to install a radon mitigation
system. A radon mitigation system will prevent gases in the
soil from entering the home. A low amount of suction is
applied below the foundation and the vapors are vented to
the outside. The system uses minimal electricity and should
not noticeably affect heating and cooling efficiency. This
mitigation system also prevents radon from entering the
home, an added health benefit. Usually, the party
responsible for cleaning up the contamination is also
responsible for paying for the installation of this system.
Once the contamination is cleaned up, the system should no
longer be needed. In homes with on going radon problems,
ODH suggests these systems remain in place permanently.
Radon Mitigation System
y.
Fan
Contamination
/ t ^
Created September 2004
-------
SECTION 4
-------
/t08^
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
X
c
January 31, 2008
John Smith
123 Main Street
Dayton, Ohio 45404
Dear Mr. Smith:
The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the 30-day proficiency sample results of the
sub-slab (the space under your basement floor) and indoor air samples collected from
your property on January 21, 2008. The samples were collected approximately 30 days
following U.S. EPA installing a vapor abatement mitigation system at your property.
The sample results are reviewed by U.S. EPA to determine the effectiveness of the
system. We are specifically testing for the presence of trichloroethylene (also known as
TCE), which has been detected in the groundwater under the neighborhood.
TCE is known as a volatile organic compound (VOC), which means it can easily
evaporate (turn from a liquid to a gas) when it is exposed to the soil or air. TCE has the
potential, as vapors, to move through the soils and work their way into building
substructures, such as basements, where it can accumulate in the indoor air.
The results for the sub-slab and indoor air samples collected at your property are
presented below and are identified as "Detected" where TCE was found in the samples.
"ND" (no detection) is used when there is a chemical concentration less than the
laboratory's minimum detection limit (the laboratory's minimum detection limit is written
below in parentheses). The air samples are measured in units called parts per billion by
volume (ppbv). Following the result for each sample is the "screening level" for the
chemical. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has recommended the screening
levels for sub-slab and indoor air.
Sub-Slab Sampling Results:
TCE: 12 ppbv, ODH recommended screening level: 4 ppbv
The results from the sub-slab air sample collected at your property show that the
chemical TCE was detected at 12 ppbv, which is greater than the sub-slab screening
level recommended by the ODH.
Indoor Air Sampling Results:
TCE: ND (0.16) ppbv, ODH recommended screening level: 0.4 ppbv
Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov
Recycltdf-ifccyclabU . Printed with Vegetable Oil Based inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 25% Fostconsumer)
-------
The results from the indoor air sample collected at your property show that the
chemical TCE was not detected (ND) greater than 0.16 ppbv, which is less than the
indoor air screening level recommended by the ODH.
The TCE level in the sub-slab does not necessarily mean that you will experience health
effects, only that the vapor abatement system is working properly and effectively
reducing the vapors beneath your property. U.S. EPA will be contacting you in the near
future about scheduling the 90-day proficiency sampling. U.S. EPA would like to take
this opportunity to thank you for participating in this mitigation program.
If you have health-related questions concerning this matter, please contact Dr. Bob Frey
at the Ohio Department of Health at 614-466-1069. If you have questions related to the
sampling or on-going site investigation, please feel free to contact me at 513-569-7539.
Sincerely,
Steven L. Renninger
On-Scene Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 5
Attachments: Analytical Results
cc: Site File
-------
SUB-SLAB AIR SAMPLE RESULTS
-------
^Toxics ltd.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL LABORATORY
Client Sample ID:^^^^BS011708
Lab ID#: 0801322A-04A
MODIFIED EPA METHOD TO-15 GC/MS FULL SCAN
File Name:
5012232
Date of Collection
1/17/08
Dil. Factor:
1.83
Date of Analysis:
1/23/08 08:05 AM
Rot. Limit
Amount
Rpt. Limit
Amount
Compound
(PPbv)
(PPbv)
(uG/m3)
(uG/m3)
Freon 12
0.92
Not Detected
4.5
Not Detected
Freon 114
0.92
Not Detected
6.4
Not Detected
Chloromethane
3.7
Not Detected
7.6
Not Detected
Vinyl Chloride
0.92
Not Detected
2.3
Not Detected
1,3-Butadiene
0.92
Not Detected
2.0
Not Detected
Bromomethane
0.92
Not Detected
3.6
Not Detected
Chloroethane
0.92
Not Detected
2.4
Not Detected
Freon 11
0.92
Not Detected
5.1
Not Detected
Ethanol
3.7
Not Detected
6.9
Not Detected
Freon 113
0.92
Not Detected
7.0
Not Detected
1,1-Dichloroethene
0.92
Not Detected
3.6
Not Detected
Acetone
3.7
Not Detected
8.7
Not Detected
2-Propanol
3.7
Not Detected
9.0
Not Detected
Carbon Disulfide
0.92
Not Detected
2.8
Not Detected
3-Chloropropene
3.7
Not Detected
11
Not Detected
Methylene Chloride
0.92
Not Detected
3.2
Not Detected
Methyl tert-butyl ether
0.92
Not Detected
3.3
Not Detected
trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
0.92
Not Detected
3.6
Not Detected
Hexane
0.92
Not Detected
3.2
Not Detected
1,1-Dichloroethane
0.92
Not Detected
3.7
Not Detected
2-Butanone (Methyl Ethyl Ketone)
0.92
Not Detected
2.7
Not Detected
cis-1,2-Dichloroethene
0.92
Not Detected
3.6
Not Detected
Tetrahydrofuran
0.92
Not Detected
2.7
Not Detected
Chloroform
0.92
Not Detected
4.5
Not Detected
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
0.92
Not Detected
5.0
Not Detected
Cyclohexane
0.92
Not Detected
3.1
Not Detected
Carbon Tetrachloride
0.92
Not Detected
5.8
Not Detected
2,2,4-T rimethylpentane
0.92
Not Detected
4.3
Not Detected
Benzene
0.92
Not Detected
2.9
Not Detected
1,2-Dichloroethane
0.92
Not Detected
3.7
Not Detected
Heptane
0.92
Not Detected
3.7
Not Detected
Trichloroethene
0.92
12
4.9
66
1,2-Dichloropropane
0.92
Not Detected
4.2
Not Detected
1,4-Dioxane
3.7
Not Detected
13
Not Detected
Bromodichloromethane
0.92
Not Detected
6.1
Not Detected
cis-1,3-Dichloropropene
0.92
Not Detected
4.2
Not Detected
4-Methyl-2-pentanone
0.92
Not Detected
3.7
Not Detected
Toluene
0.92
Not Detected
3.4
Not Detected
trans-1,3-Dichloropropene
0.92
Not Detected
4.2
Not Detected
Page 14 of 31
-------
^Toxics ltd.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL LABORATORY
Client Sample ID: 1708
Lab ID#: 0801322A-04A
MODIFIED EPA METHOD TO-15 GC/MS FULL SCAN
File Name:
5012232
Date of Collection
1/17/08
Dil. Factor:
1.83
Date of Analysis:
1/23/08 08:05 AM
Rot. Limit
Amount
Rpt. Limit
Amount
Compound
(PPbv)
(PPbv)
(uG/m3)
(uG/m3)
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
0.92
Not Detected
5.0
Not Detected
Tetrachloroethene
0.92
5.5
6.2
38
2-Hexanone
3.7
Not Detected
15
Not Detected
Dibromochloromethane
0.92
Not Detected
7.8
Not Detected
1,2-Dibromoethane (EDB)
0.92
Not Detected
7.0
Not Detected
Chlorobenzene
0.92
Not Detected
4.2
Not Detected
Ethyl Benzene
0.92
Not Detected
4.0
Not Detected
m,p-Xylene
0.92
Not Detected
4.0
Not Detected
o-Xylene
0.92
Not Detected
4.0
Not Detected
Styrene
0.92
Not Detected
3.9
Not Detected
Bromoform
0.92
Not Detected
9.4
Not Detected
Cumene
0.92
Not Detected
4.5
Not Detected
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
0.92
Not Detected
6.3
Not Detected
Propylbenzene
0.92
Not Detected
4.5
Not Detected
4-Ethyltoluene
0.92
Not Detected
4.5
Not Detected
1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene
0.92
Not Detected
4.5
Not Detected
1,2,4-T rimethylbenzene
0.92
Not Detected
4.5
Not Detected
1,3-Dichlorobenzene
0.92
Not Detected
5.5
Not Detected
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
0.92
Not Detected
5.5
Not Detected
alpha-Chlorotoluene
0.92
Not Detected
4.7
Not Detected
1,2-Dichlorobenzene
0.92
Not Detected
5.5
Not Detected
1,2,4-T richlorobenzene
3.7
Not Detected
27
Not Detected
Hexachlorobutadiene
3.7
Not Detected
39
Not Detected
Container Type: 6 Liter Summa Canister
Method
Surrogates
% Recovery
Limits
Toluene-d8
95
70-130
1,2-Dichloroethane-d4
99
70-130
4-Bromofluorobenzene
99
70-130
Page 15 of 31
-------
INDOOR AIR SAMPLE RESULTS
-------
^Toxics ltd.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL LABORATORY
Client Sample ID: 12108
Lab ID#: 0801377B-05A
MODIFIED EPA METHOD TO-15 GC/MS FULL SCAN
File Name:
S012416
Date of Collection
1/21/08
Dil. Factor:
1.58
Date of Analysis:
1/24/08 07:06 PM
Rot. Limit
Amount
Rpt. Limit
Amount
Compound
(PPbv)
(PPbv)
(uG/m3)
(uG/m3)
Freon 12
0.16
0.31
0.78
1.5
Freon 114
0.16
Not Detected
1.1
Not Detected
Chloromethane
0.16
1.0
0.33
2.1
Vinyl Chloride
0.16
Not Detected
0.40
Not Detected
1,3-Butadiene
0.16
0.44
0.35
0.96
Bromomethane
0.16
Not Detected
0.61
Not Detected
Chloroethane
0.16
Not Detected
0.42
Not Detected
Freon 11
0.16
0.27
0.89
1.5
Ethanol
0.79
390 E
1.5
740 E
Freon 113
0.16
Not Detected
1.2
Not Detected
1,1-Dichloroethene
0.16
Not Detected
0.63
Not Detected
Acetone
0.79
6.0
1.9
14
2-Propanol
0.79
Not Detected
1.9
Not Detected
Carbon Disulfide
0.79
Not Detected
2.5
Not Detected
Methylene Chloride
0.32
Not Detected
1.1
Not Detected
Methyl tert-butyl ether
0.16
Not Detected
0.57
Not Detected
trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
0.16
Not Detected
0.63
Not Detected
Hexane
0.16
0.92
0.56
3.2
1,1-Dichloroethane
0.16
Not Detected
0.64
Not Detected
2-Butanone (Methyl Ethyl Ketone)
0.16
1.3
0.46
3.8
cis-1,2-Dichloroethene
0.16
Not Detected
0.63
Not Detected
Tetrahydrofuran
0.79
Not Detected
2.3
Not Detected
Chloroform
0.16
Not Detected
0.77
Not Detected
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
0.16
Not Detected
0.86
Not Detected
Cyclohexane
0.16
Not Detected
0.54
Not Detected
Carbon Tetrachloride
0.16
Not Detected
0.99
Not Detected
Benzene
0.16
1.1
0.50
3.4
1,2-Dichloroethane
0.16
Not Detected
0.64
Not Detected
Heptane
0.16
0.70
0.65
2.9
Trichloroethene
0.16
Not Detected
0.85
Not Detected
1,2-Dichloropropane
0.16
Not Detected
0.73
Not Detected
1,4-Dioxane
0.16
Not Detected
0.57
Not Detected
Bromodichloromethane
0.16
Not Detected
1.0
Not Detected
cis-1,3-Dichloropropene
0.16
Not Detected
0.72
Not Detected
4-Methyl-2-pentanone
0.16
0.23
0.65
0.93
Toluene
0.16
3.0
0.60
11
trans-1,3-Dichloropropene
0.16
Not Detected
0.72
Not Detected
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
0.16
Not Detected
0.86
Not Detected
Tetrachloroethene
0.16
Not Detected
1.1
Not Detected
Page 11 of 24
-------
^Toxics ltd.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL LABORATORY
Client Sample ID: 12108
Lab ID#: 0801377B-05A
MODIFIED EPA METHOD TO-15 GC/MS FULL SCAN
File Name:
S012416
Date of Collection
1/21/08
Dil. Factor:
1.58
Date of Analysis:
1/24/08 07:06 PM
Rot. Limit
Amount
Rpt. Limit
Amount
Compound
(PPbv)
(PPbv)
(uG/m3)
(uG/m3)
2-Hexanone
0.79
Not Detected
3.2
Not Detected
Dibromochloromethane
0.16
Not Detected
1.3
Not Detected
1,2-Dibromoethane (EDB)
0.16
Not Detected
1.2
Not Detected
Chlorobenzene
0.16
Not Detected
0.73
Not Detected
Ethyl Benzene
0.16
0.48
0.69
2.1
m,p-Xylene
0.16
1.6
0.69
6.8
o-Xylene
0.16
0.50
0.69
2.2
Styrene
0.16
Not Detected
0.67
Not Detected
Bromoform
0.16
Not Detected
1.6
Not Detected
Cumene
0.16
Not Detected
0.78
Not Detected
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
0.16
Not Detected
1.1
Not Detected
Propylbenzene
0.16
Not Detected
0.78
Not Detected
4-Ethyltoluene
0.16
0.47
0.78
2.3
1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene
0.16
0.16
0.78
0.78
1,2,4-T rimethylbenzene
0.16
0.56
0.78
2.8
1,3-Dichlorobenzene
0.16
Not Detected
0.95
Not Detected
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
0.16
Not Detected
0.95
Not Detected
alpha-Chlorotoluene
0.16
Not Detected
0.82
Not Detected
1,2-Dichlorobenzene
0.16
Not Detected
0.95
Not Detected
1,2,4-T richlorobenzene
0.79
Not Detected
5.9
Not Detected
Hexachlorobutadiene 0.79 Not Detected 8.4 Not Detected
E = Exceeds instrument calibration range.
Container Type: 6 Liter Summa Canister (100% Certified)
Method
Surrogates
% Recovery
Limits
1,2-Dichloroethane-d4
89
70-130
Toluene-d8
94
70-130
4-Bromofluorobenzene
112
70-130
Page 12 of 24
-------
SECTION 5
-------
/t08^
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
X
c
April 18, 2008
John Smith
123 Main Street
Dayton, Ohio 45404
Dear Mr. Smith:
The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the 90-day proficiency sample results of the
sub-slab (the space under your basement floor) and indoor air samples collected from
your property on April 2, 2008. The samples were collected approximately 90 days
following U.S. EPA installing a vapor abatement mitigation system at your property.
The sample results are reviewed by U.S. EPA to determine the effectiveness of the
system. We are specifically testing for the presence of trichloroethylene (also known as
TCE), which has been detected in the groundwater under the neighborhood.
TCE is known as a volatile organic compound (VOC), which means it can easily
evaporate (turn from a liquid to a gas) when it is exposed to the soil or air. TCE has the
potential, as vapors, to move through the soils and work their way into building
substructures, such as basements, where it can accumulate in the indoor air.
The results for the sub-slab and indoor air samples collected at your property are
presented below and are identified as "Detected" where TCE was found in the samples.
"ND" (no detection) is used when there is a chemical concentration less than the
laboratory's minimum detection limit (the laboratory's minimum detection limit is written
below in parentheses). The air samples are measured in units called parts per billion by
volume (ppbv). Following the result for each sample is the "screening level" for the
chemical. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has recommended the screening
levels for sub-slab and indoor air.
Sub-Slab Sampling Results:
TCE: 3.8 ppbv, ODH recommended screening level: 4 ppbv
The results from the sub-slab air sample collected at your property show that the
chemical TCE was detected at 3.8 ppbv, which is less than the sub-slab screening level
recommended by the ODH.
Indoor Air Sampling Results:
TCE: ND (0.14) ppbv, ODH recommended screening level: 0.4 ppbv
Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov
Recycltdf-ifccyclabU . Printed with Vegetable Oil Based inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 25% Fostconsumer)
-------
The results from the indoor air sample collected at your property show that the
chemical TCE was not detected (ND) greater than 0.14 ppbv, which is less than the
indoor air screening level recommended by the ODH.
The sub-slab and indoor air results are both beneath the TCE screening levels
recommended by the ODH. The results show that the vapor abatement mitigation
system is working properly and effectively reducing the vapors beneath your property.
Because 90-day indoor air results are beneath the TCE screening levels recommended
by the ODH, no further action is necessary. U.S. EPA would like to take this opportunity
to thank you for participating in this mitigation program.
If you have health-related questions concerning this matter, please contact Dr. Bob Frey
at the Ohio Department of Health at 614-466-1069. If you have questions related to the
sampling or on-going site investigation, please feel free to contact me at 513-569-7539.
Steven L. Renninger
On-Scene Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 5
Attachments: Analytical Results
cc: Site File
Sincerely,
-------
SUB-SLAB AIR SAMPLE RESULTS
-------
^Toxics ltd.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL LABORATORY
Client Sample ID:^^^^HS040208
Lab ID#: 0804121A-04A
MODIFIED EPA METHOD TO-15 GC/MS FULL SCAN
File Name:
7040730
Date of Collection
: 4/2/08
Dil. Factor:
1.58
Date of Analysis:
4/8/08 07:33 AM
Rot. Limit
Amount
Rpt. Limit
Amount
Compound
(PPbv)
(PPbv)
(uG/m3)
(uG/m3)
Freon 12
0.79
Not Detected
3.9
Not Detected
Freon 114
0.79
Not Detected
5.5
Not Detected
Chloromethane
3.2
Not Detected
6.5
Not Detected
Vinyl Chloride
0.79
Not Detected
2.0
Not Detected
1,3-Butadiene
0.79
Not Detected
1.7
Not Detected
Bromomethane
0.79
Not Detected
3.1
Not Detected
Chloroethane
0.79
Not Detected
2.1
Not Detected
Freon 11
0.79
Not Detected
4.4
Not Detected
Ethanol
3.2
Not Detected
6.0
Not Detected
Freon 113
0.79
Not Detected
6.0
Not Detected
1,1-Dichloroethene
0.79
Not Detected
3.1
Not Detected
Acetone
3.2
Not Detected
7.5
Not Detected
2-Propanol
3.2
Not Detected
7.8
Not Detected
Carbon Disulfide
0.79
Not Detected
2.5
Not Detected
3-Chloropropene
3.2
Not Detected
9.9
Not Detected
Methylene Chloride
0.79
Not Detected
2.7
Not Detected
Methyl tert-butyl ether
0.79
Not Detected
2.8
Not Detected
trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
0.79
Not Detected
3.1
Not Detected
Hexane
0.79
Not Detected
2.8
Not Detected
1,1-Dichloroethane
0.79
Not Detected
3.2
Not Detected
2-Butanone (Methyl Ethyl Ketone)
0.79
Not Detected
2.3
Not Detected
cis-1,2-Dichloroethene
0.79
Not Detected
3.1
Not Detected
Tetrahydrofuran
0.79
Not Detected
2.3
Not Detected
Chloroform
0.79
Not Detected
3.8
Not Detected
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
0.79
Not Detected
4.3
Not Detected
Cyclohexane
0.79
Not Detected
2.7
Not Detected
Carbon Tetrachloride
0.79
Not Detected
5.0
Not Detected
2,2,4-T rimethylpentane
0.79
Not Detected
3.7
Not Detected
Benzene
0.79
Not Detected
2.5
Not Detected
1,2-Dichloroethane
0.79
Not Detected
3.2
Not Detected
Heptane
0.79
Not Detected
3.2
Not Detected
Trichloroethene
0.79
3.8
4.2
20
1,2-Dichloropropane
0.79
Not Detected
3.6
Not Detected
1,4-Dioxane
3.2
Not Detected
11
Not Detected
Bromodichloromethane
0.79
Not Detected
5.3
Not Detected
cis-1,3-Dichloropropene
0.79
Not Detected
3.6
Not Detected
4-Methyl-2-pentanone
0.79
Not Detected
3.2
Not Detected
Toluene
0.79
Not Detected
3.0
Not Detected
trans-1,3-Dichloropropene
0.79
Not Detected
3.6
Not Detected
Page 12 of 29
-------
^Toxics ltd.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL LABORATORY
Client Sample ID:^^^^HS040208
Lab ID#: 0804121A-04A
MODIFIED EPA METHOD TO-15 GC/MS FULL SCAN
File Name:
7040730
Date of Collection
: 4/2/08
Dil. Factor:
1.58
Date of Analysis:
4/8/08 07:33 AM
Rot. Limit
Amount
Rpt. Limit
Amount
Compound
(PPbv)
(PPbv)
(uG/m3)
(uG/m3)
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
0.79
Not Detected
4.3
Not Detected
Tetrachloroethene
0.79
1.3
5.4
9.1
2-Hexanone
3.2
Not Detected
13
Not Detected
Dibromochloromethane
0.79
Not Detected
6.7
Not Detected
1,2-Dibromoethane (EDB)
0.79
Not Detected
6.1
Not Detected
Chlorobenzene
0.79
Not Detected
3.6
Not Detected
Ethyl Benzene
0.79
Not Detected
3.4
Not Detected
m,p-Xylene
0.79
Not Detected
3.4
Not Detected
o-Xylene
0.79
Not Detected
3.4
Not Detected
Styrene
0.79
Not Detected
3.4
Not Detected
Bromoform
0.79
Not Detected
8.2
Not Detected
Cumene
0.79
Not Detected
3.9
Not Detected
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
0.79
Not Detected
5.4
Not Detected
Propylbenzene
0.79
Not Detected
3.9
Not Detected
4-Ethyltoluene
0.79
Not Detected
3.9
Not Detected
1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene
0.79
Not Detected
3.9
Not Detected
1,2,4-T rimethylbenzene
0.79
Not Detected
3.9
Not Detected
1,3-Dichlorobenzene
0.79
Not Detected
4.8
Not Detected
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
0.79
Not Detected
4.8
Not Detected
alpha-Chlorotoluene
0.79
Not Detected
4.1
Not Detected
1,2-Dichlorobenzene
0.79
Not Detected
4.7
Not Detected
1,2,4-T richlorobenzene
3.2
Not Detected
23
Not Detected
Hexachlorobutadiene
3.2
Not Detected
34
Not Detected
Container Type: 6 Liter Summa Canister
Method
Surrogates
% Recovery
Limits
Toluene-d8
89
70-130
1,2-Dichloroethane-d4
107
70-130
4-Bromofluorobenzene
100
70-130
Page 13 of 29
-------
INDOOR AIR SAMPLE RESULTS
-------
^Toxics ltd.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL LABORATORY
Client Sample ID:
Lab ID#: 0804121B-09A
MODIFIED EPA METHOD TO-15 GC/MS FULL SCAN
File Name:
y040725
Date of Collection
: 4/2/08
Dil. Factor:
1.44
Date of Analysis:
4/8/08 04:58 AM
Rot. Limit
Amount
Rpt. Limit
Amount
Compound
(PPbv)
(PPbv)
(uG/m3)
(uG/m3)
Freon 12
0.14
0.44
0.71
2.2
Freon 114
0.14
Not Detected
1.0
Not Detected
Chloromethane
0.14
0.88
0.30
1.8
Vinyl Chloride
0.14
Not Detected
0.37
Not Detected
1,3-Butadiene
0.14
0.36
0.32
0.80
Bromomethane
0.14
Not Detected
0.56
Not Detected
Chloroethane
0.14
Not Detected
0.38
Not Detected
Freon 11
0.14
0.19
0.81
1.1
Ethanol
0.72
280 E
1.4
520 E
Freon 113
0.14
Not Detected
1.1
Not Detected
1,1-Dichloroethene
0.14
Not Detected
0.57
Not Detected
Acetone
0.72
7.1
1.7
17
2-Propanol
0.72
12
1.8
30
Carbon Disulfide
0.72
Not Detected
2.2
Not Detected
Methylene Chloride
0.29
Not Detected
1.0
Not Detected
Methyl tert-butyl ether
0.14
Not Detected
0.52
Not Detected
trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
0.14
Not Detected
0.57
Not Detected
Hexane
0.14
0.89
0.51
3.1
1,1-Dichloroethane
0.14
Not Detected
0.58
Not Detected
2-Butanone (Methyl Ethyl Ketone)
0.14
0.82
0.42
2.4
cis-1,2-Dichloroethene
0.14
Not Detected
0.57
Not Detected
Tetrahydrofuran
0.72
Not Detected
2.1
Not Detected
Chloroform
0.14
Not Detected
0.70
Not Detected
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
0.14
Not Detected
0.78
Not Detected
Cyclohexane
0.14
0.18
0.50
0.61
Carbon Tetrachloride
0.14
Not Detected
0.91
Not Detected
Benzene
0.14
1.0
0.46
3.3
1,2-Dichloroethane
0.14
Not Detected
0.58
Not Detected
Heptane
0.14
0.29
0.59
1.2
Trichloroethene
0.14
Not Detected
0.77
Not Detected
1,2-Dichloropropane
0.14
Not Detected
0.66
Not Detected
1,4-Dioxane
0.14
Not Detected
0.52
Not Detected
Bromodichloromethane
0.14
Not Detected
0.96
Not Detected
cis-1,3-Dichloropropene
0.14
Not Detected
0.65
Not Detected
4-Methyl-2-pentanone
0.14
Not Detected
0.59
Not Detected
Toluene
0.14
3.1
0.54
12
trans-1,3-Dichloropropene
0.14
Not Detected
0.65
Not Detected
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
0.14
Not Detected
0.78
Not Detected
Tetrachloroethene
0.14
Not Detected
0.98
Not Detected
Page 13 of 22
-------
^Toxics ltd.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL LABORATORY
Client Sample ID:^^^^^^^^U)40208
Lab ID#: 0804121B-09A
MODIFIED EPA METHOD TO-15 GC/MS FULL SCAN
File Name:
y040725
Date of Collection
: 4/2/08
Dil. Factor:
1.44
Date of Analysis:
4/8/08 04:58 AM
Rot. Limit
Amount
Rpt. Limit
Amount
Compound
(PPbv)
(PPbv)
(uG/m3)
(uG/m3)
2-Hexanone
0.72
Not Detected
2.9
Not Detected
Dibromochloromethane
0.14
Not Detected
1.2
Not Detected
1,2-Dibromoethane (EDB)
0.14
Not Detected
1.1
Not Detected
Chlorobenzene
0.14
Not Detected
0.66
Not Detected
Ethyl Benzene
0.14
0.43
0.62
1.9
m,p-Xylene
0.14
1.4
0.62
5.9
o-Xylene
0.14
0.34
0.62
1.4
Styrene
0.14
Not Detected
0.61
Not Detected
Bromoform
0.14
Not Detected
1.5
Not Detected
Cumene
0.14
Not Detected
0.71
Not Detected
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
0.14
Not Detected
0.99
Not Detected
Propylbenzene
0.14
Not Detected
0.71
Not Detected
4-Ethyltoluene
0.14
0.23
0.71
1.1
1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene
0.14
Not Detected
0.71
Not Detected
1,2,4-T rimethylbenzene
0.14
0.24
0.71
1.2
1,3-Dichlorobenzene
0.14
Not Detected
0.86
Not Detected
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
0.14
Not Detected
0.86
Not Detected
alpha-Chlorotoluene
0.14
Not Detected
0.74
Not Detected
1,2-Dichlorobenzene
0.14
Not Detected
0.86
Not Detected
1,2,4-T richlorobenzene
0.72
Not Detected
5.3
Not Detected
Hexachlorobutadiene
0.72
Not Detected
7.7
Not Detected
E = Exceeds instrument calibration range.
Container Type: 6 Liter Summa Canister (100% Certified)
Method
Surrogates
% Recovery
Limits
1,2-Dichloroethane-d4
93
70-130
Toluene-d8
95
70-130
4-Bromofluorobenzene
104
70-130
Page 14 of 22
-------
SECTION 6
-------
U.S. EPA Website for the Behr VOC Site
The U.S. EPA has created a website to provide residents with important information
concerning this project. The web address is listed at the bottom of the page. The
following information may be found at this website:
• Information on the current status of this project;
• Ohio Department of Health Fact Sheets related to Vapor Intrusion, TCE, and
Exposure to Toxic Chemicals;
• Maps showing the project status;
• Photo images of various events that have occurred during the project; and
• Contact information for the U.S. EPA, Ohio Department of Health, Ohio EPA and
other members of the project team.
Site Profile Page 1 of 3
1 rv o
UnilP'l St.Tnn f^-rmrwin l>/Wr*iv-Aj-nm I
d;cuw« POtfiBH col arts ntt ogm profik
Behr VOC Plume - EPA Fund Lead Removal
Dayton, OH - EPA Region V
Site Contact
Steven Rennlnger
On-Seane Coordinator
renrtnger steven(§epa gov
toacscnatAeftrviXDtumeepatLirwaeadremovaj
919 North Keowee street
Dayton, OH 45404
Latitude 39 773925
Longitude -S4 18t406
ate map | area ma I weather |
The EPA Command Post Phone Number is 937-262-7919 and is located at 919 North Keowee Street.
Daylon, Ohio
The Behr VOC Plume (EPA Fund Lead Removal) and (he Behr VOC Plume Sile (funded by ChrySer | are
simultaneous removal actions at the same sue This websrte Is for Ihe Behr VOC Plume < EPA Fi#>d Lead
Removal) For further information on ihe Behr VOC Plume Site (Chrysler funded) see the following link
"hflp7/www epaosc nettoehrvoq^ume"
The Behr Dayton Thermal Products Faculty | Behr-Dayton facility) is located at 1600 Webster Street Daylon
Montgomery Count/, Ohw The Behr-Dayton facility manufactures vehicle air condidoning aid engine cooling
systems at the facility Chrysler Corporation owned arxJ operated the Behr-Dayton facility from at least 1937 intil
Apnl of 2002
The groundwater beneath the Behr-Dayton facility is contaminated wHh vofaDie organic compounds including
tricNoroethene (TCE). Chrysler contracted Earth Tech to desgn, install , and operate two systems for the
remediation of soil and groundwater contamination under the Behr-Dayton facility with TCE as the main
contaminant of ooncem Earth Tech installed a Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) system on the Behr-Dayton facility
www.epaosc.net\behrvocplumeepafundlead removal
-------
SECTION 7
-------
U.S. EPA and its vapor abatement
mitigation system installation team installed
one of the following two fans at your
property.
If warranty service is required or if you have
any questions regarding your mitigation
system, please call AtHomeRadon at
513.561.8378.
Thank you.
-------
Bye 151 fear Warranty HP 22-Q
This warmth supersedes all prior msrmMes
(retaliation that wl result in condensate forming in the outlet ducting should tew a condensate bpass installed to rate the condensate outside of the fan
housing. Conditions tot are likely to produce condensate include but are not limied to: outdoor installations in cold climates, teg lengths of outlet duo
tin, hi# moisture content in soil and thin wai op aluminum outlet ducting. Failire to instal a proper condensate bjpess may void any warraitf chins.
1UBII8 BUT* WWRANTT PERIOD:
FANTECH will repair or replace any part which has a factory defeat in
workmanship op material. Product may ¦need to be returned to the fan-
tech factory, together with a copy of tie bill of sale and identified with
(MA number.
MR HkCTKT llflil III HOST:
• Haw a Return Materials Authorization (RMAJ number. This may be
obtained fay calling FANTECH either in the USA at i .800.747.1762
or in CANADA at 1.800.565.3548. Please hews bit of sale available.
• The FMA number must be clearly written on the outside of the
carton, or the carton will be refused.
• All pats and/or product will be repatredfrepbced and shipped tack
to buyer no credit will be issued.
OR
The Distributor may place an order for the warranty pari and/br
product and is irwoiced. The Distributor will receive a credit equal
to the invoice only after product is returned prepaid and verified
to be defective.
FANTECH WARRANTY TERMS DO MOT PROVIDE FOR REPLACEMENT
WITHOUT CHARGE PBIOTtoiNSPECTfOWFOR A DEFECT. REPLACE-
MENTS ISSUED IN MJMmw DEFECT INSPEClfiN.«E
INVOICED, AND CREDIT i5-:i«DWStWOTIM OFfiEftMCD '
MATERIA. DEFECTIVE MATERIAL RETURNED BY END USERS
SHOULD NOT BE REPUGEOWTHE DISTRIBUTOR WfTHOUT * '
CHARGE TO THE END USER, AS CREDIT TO DISTRIBUTORS
ACCOUNT WILL BE PENDING INSPECTION AND WiBGffiOi OF •
ACTUAL DEFECT BY FANTECH.
THE miOMRNfi WlBiiif US II 111 IPPlt
» Damages from shipping, either concealed or visible, Claim must be
filed with freight company.
• Damages resulting Irani improper wring or installation.
• Damages or failure.caused by acts of God, or resulting from _
improper consumer procedures, such as: • .
1. Improper maintenance
2. Misuse, abuse, abnormal use, or accident, and
3. Incorrect electrical voltage or current.
• Renjwal or any alteration made cm the FANTECH label control num-
ber or date of manufacture.
• Any other warranty, expressed, implied or written, and to any con-
sequential or incidental damages, loss or property, revenues, or
profit, or costs of removal, installation or rehstafetkm, for any
breach of warranty.
¦liliilf
• He user must keep a copy of the Kit of safe to xerify purchase date.
• These warranties gwe you specific legal rights, and are subject to
an applicable consumer protection legislation. You may have addi-
tional rights which vary from state to state.
United Slates
1712 Nnrthgete BW,.
Sarasota Ft 34234
Ptone; 8d3.747.176S 941.a39.BCH]
Fax: 000.487.9915: 941.3tH.6ra
K^30fer\fich.fict
Canada
M Kanatlait Waf,
0DUEtouch8. NB E4S 3M5
Phone: 000.585.3548; 50B;?43.95Q0
Fax: 877.747.8116; 506.74a9600
www.fateA.ca;inbOfantach.cn
Fanteeh, reserves the right to modify, at any tin® and without
notice, any or alt of its products* features, designs, components and
specifications to maintain their technologies! leadership position.
Article #: 301077
Item #: 401443
Be* Date: 010307
-------
1foyix>M /VwW XP- 20I
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS TO INSTALLER
Inspect the GPxOl/XP/XR Series Fan for shipping damage within 15 days of receipt. Notify RadonAway of any damages
immediately. Radonaway is not responsible for damages incurred during shipping. However, for your benefit,
Radonaway does insure shipments.
There are no user serviceable parts inside the fan. Do not attempt to open. Return unit to factory for service.
Install the GPxOl/XP/XR Series Fan in accordance with all EPA standard practices, and state and local building codes
and state regulations.
WARRANTY
Subject to any applicable consumer protection legislation, RadonAway warrants that the GPX01/XP/XR/RP Series Fan (the "Fan") will be free from
defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 90 days from the date of purchase (the "Warranty Term").
RadonAway will replace any Fan which fails due to defects in materials or workmanship. The Fan must be returned (at Owner's cost) to the
RadonAway factory. Any Fan returned to the factory will be discarded unless the Owner provides specific instructions along with the Fan when it is
returned regardless of whether or not the Fan is actually replaced under this warranty. Proof of purchase must be supplied upon request for
service under this Warranty.
This Warranty is contingent on installation of the Fan in accordance with the instructions provided. This Warranty does not apply where any
repairs or alterations have been made or attempted by others, or if the unit has been abused or misused. Warranty does not cover damage in
shipment unless the damage is due to the negligence of RadonAway.
5 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION.
RadonAway will extend the Warranty Term of the fan to 5 years from date of manufacture if the Fan is installed in a professionally designed and
professionally installed radon system or installed as a replacement fan in a professionally designed and professionally installed radon system.
Proof of purchase and/or proof of professional installation may be required for service under this warranty. Outside the Continental United States
and Canada the extended Warranty Term is limited to one (1) year from the date of manufacture. *
RadonAway is not responsible for installation, removal or delivery costs associated with this Warranty.
EXCEPT AS STATED ABOVE, THE GPx01/XP/XR/RP SERIES FANS ARE PROVIDED WITHOUT
WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
IN NO EVENT SHALL RADONAWAY BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL,
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF, OR RELATING TO, THE FAN OR THE
PERFORMANCE THEREOF. RADONAWAY'S AGGREGATE LIABILITY HEREUNDER SHALL NOT IN
ANY EVENT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF THE PURCHASE PRICE OF SAID PRODUCT. THE SOLE AND
EXCLUSIVE REMEDY UNDER THIS WARRANTY SHALL BE THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE
PRODUCT, TO THE EXTENT THE SAME DOES NOT MEET WITH RADONAWAY'S WARRANTY AS
PROVIDED ABOVE.
For service under this Warranty, contact RadonAway for a Return Material Authorization (RM A) number and shipping
information. No returns can be accepted without ail RMA. If factory return is required, the customer assumes all shipping
cost to and from factory.
RadonAway
3 Saber Way
Ward Hili, MA 01835
TEL. (978) 521-3703
FAX (978) 521-3964
Record the following information for your records:
Serial No.
Purchase Date
-------
ATTACHMENT V
O&M MANUAL ACCEPTANCE FORM
-------
Vapor Abatement Mitigation System Operations and
Maintenance Informational Manual Acceptance Form
Date:
Address:
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have received the U.S. EPA Operations
and Maintenance Informational Manual.
PRINTED NAME
SIGNATURE
-------
ATTACHMENT W
QUICK GUIDE
-------
VAPOR ABATEMENT SYSTEM
QUICK GUIDE
EMERGENCY
RESPONSE ,
-------
VAPOR ABATEMENT SYSTEM
"QUICK GUIDE"
SITE BACKGROUND
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has prepared this
"Quick Guide" to inform occupants of this property that a vapor abatement system was
installed at this property to address chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
migrating into the basements of residential and commercial properties south of the Behr
Dayton Thermal Products Facility located at 1600 Webster Street in Dayton, Ohio
(Behr-Dayton facility). The scientific term for the migration of chemicals into overlying
homes is called "vapor intrusion". This work is being performed pursuant to a Unilateral
Administrative Order dated July 31, 2009, issued by U.S. EPA to Behr America, Inc.
(Behr). The vapor abatement system was installed in response to a trichloroethylene
(TCE) contaminated groundwater plume which has migrated south-southwest of the
Behr-Dayton facility and beneath the residential and commercial properties in the
McCook Field neighborhood.
WHAT IS VAPOR INTRUSION?
Vapor Intrusion is the migration of volatile chemicals (ie, TCE) from the subsurface into
overlying buildings. TCE-contaminated groundwater can emit vapors that may migrate
through subsurface soils and into indoor air spaces of overlying buildings in ways similar
to that of radon gas seeping into homes, as shown in the illustration below. As Figure 1
illustrates, the vapor intrusion pathway may be important for buildings both with and
without a basement.
C6mm»r(iol/lnduttriol Worker R*fid*rit Living over Plume
Working over Plume Iks^rnent or Crawl Space Without BasBmBrt
> Incocr Air
.Vadose Zone
' Soi! Gas
] Soil ond
Gruoildwulei
Contaminc'icn
Figure 1 - Vapor Intrusion Pathway
-------
WHAT IS A VAPOR ABATEMENT SYSTEM?
A vapor abatement system is similar to a "radon mitigation system". The system
removes TCE vapors that are accumulating beneath the property and venting the TCE
vapors, where the chemical is then vented in the atmosphere. The system does not
clean the air inside the property. The system prevents TCE vapors from entering the
basement and into the breathing zone of the property. After the system was installed,
indoor air sampling was conducted to confirm that the system was operational.
A portion of the basement slab was cored and a 3-inch diameter Schedule 40 polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) piping was routed through the slab and then outside the basement
through a wall penetration. The vertical PVC pipe through the slab floor is called an
"extraction point". The PVC pipe was then connected to an extraction fan and the
exhaust piping was routed to the roof-line, taking care to exhaust the air above any
nearby intake pipes or building windows. The system must remain 'on' at all times.
Since 2008, U.S. EPA has overseen the installation of approximately 240 vapor
abatement systems in residential and commercial properties within the McCook Field
neighborhood.
WHY WAS A VAPOR ABATEMENT SYSTEM INSTALLED AT THIS PROPERTY?
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) established conservative action levels to
determine if a property requires a vapor abatement system. When the subslab (air
under your basement floor) and/or the indoor air were sampled by U.S. EPA/Behr, TCE
concentrations were observed greater that the screening levels recommended by ODH.
As a result, a vapor abatement system was installed. See Figure 2 for an illustration of
a typical vapor abatement system.
Figure 2 - Illustration of a Typical Vapor Abatement System
Slrappinc
O k ilfJChet Aa
U» OwMhvrn
3'K*"
Dowiipv.it Us«
AtltCli CHWWrfWOlrt Vj
3*d« al
4 ¦ Fk»Jrid-IB-? JC4
4" CM, P.Cfvr.
PVC «*- ECM-.
wc vftemg,
C*n>*nM Ttghiiy
to Ai*6U*tq Plp-IIQ
' Rf /rx>'depicts annlijMrtlKrt
uiiigng J*M* mrtii itoMipeul
CHhp*
pow.tic dooaufiiity is jurn
WC p^piftp ai Ifw a*r
UKXM1 ri * UMrf
J IHftrrt CtpiOft-tliKk tMtef
14t f guta* Xtf
JtbfctllDj
CUL.'Ai l'« -3f QlllHf
rnvthsda nl uippoH of! ISb
flutter. ««td lni> fercl!
W Ihr eEornui tf a guQct, twe
*n i [«t»
1 iiKD-e^i ¦riAQ Bb 1*1
iauxtrol"4 in lain- tguio
3 trap ping |n> Qtivtr
¦Soptc«| la ftiippon
P«»'nn MHdM ft***)1
4-tt> Fl.J. $wt cJuiur
F^jwra
i£knnr\
K-r.rer--t.il WjH-tJ
Moped» Dran
Qef.ilrr/iXM fetowii
One Ol II* Sucvon
B(l«
Suctto n iMftrtor
|or (Jlh-" f aiui'c
inaulorrAlBrml
-------
This is called a U-tube
manometer. It shows if the
system is pulling vacuum.
View of the extraction well pipe inside the basement
View of the outside fan and the piping which vents the vapors that accumulate
beneath the property
-------
What if the systems stops working or if I have questions about the vapor
abatement system?
If you have any questions, please call either of the numbers below.
John Smith (937) 123-4567
Mike Jones (937) 234-5678
Where can I found out more information on the McCook Field neighborhood
project?
If you still have questions, go to the following U.S. EPA project website:
http://www.epaosc.org/site profile.asp?site id=2642
Site Profile Plage 1 of 3
Unitr-i Startn Fflvrrimrnfii P.vrrUTt fs'jrn ERA I
ofs'la bJdrs imjm (Ktuntnt 9CO®>! codacI® m ogn profit*
Behr VOC Plume - EPA Fund Lead Removal
Dayton, OH - EPA Region V
Site Con tad
Steven Renninger
Orv-Scene Coordinator
renmnger slevenftepa gov
eoaosc netfoehr^ocplumeepafUfidteadrernoval
919 North Keowee Street
Dayton. OH 45404
Latitude 39.773925
Loogitude -S4 181406
ste map | | weather | Boofcrnsds
The EPA Command Post Phcoe Number is 937-262-7919 and »s located at 919 North Keowee Street
Dayton. Ohio
The Behr VOC Plume (EPA Fund Lead Removal) and the Behr VOC Plume Site (finded try Chrysler) are
simultaneous removal actions at the same site This webstle is for the Behr VOC PJume (EPA Fund Lead
Removal) For further information on the Behr VOC Plume Site (Chrysler funded i see the following hnk
"hitp./Avww ep.aosc net/behrvocpiume"
The Behr Dayton Thermal Products Facility (Behr-Dayton facility) is located at 1600 Webster Street. Dayton
Montgomery County Ohio The Behr-Dayton facility manufactures vehicle air conditioning and engne cooling
systems at the facility Chrysler Corporation owned and operated the Behr-Daylcn facility from at least 1937 until
Apnl of 2002
The groundwater beneath the Behr-Dayloo facility is contaminated with volatile organic compounds, including
inchloroethene (TCE). Chrysler contracted Earth Tech to desgn. install and operate two systems for Ihe
remediation of soil and groundwater contamination under the Behr-Dayton faculty with TCE as the mam
contaminant of concern Earth Tech installed a Sal Vapor Extraction (SVE) system on the Behr-Dayton faculty
Jrtt£vj^cscjvHiiSilcjwlllcjUjV^jiUr-H^2ZZ^^
How do I know that my vapor abatement system is working properly?
The vapor abatement system will be inspected on an annual basis to ensure that it is
working properly. A Behr contractor representative will contact the property owner for
access to inspect the system. If anything is found to be wrong with the system, such as
the fan not working or the fan making unusual noises, the problem will corrected at no
cost to the property owner.
-------
ATTACHMENT X
MITIGATION SYSTEM ANNUAL INSPECTION FORM
-------
U.S. EPA
Sub-Slab and Sub-Membrane Depressurization System
Annual O&M Inspection Form
Property Address: Temperature (Ambient) F
Tenant's Name: Temperature (House) F
Owner's Name: Barometric Pressure "Hg
Owner's Address (If Different
from Property) Weather Conditions:
Inspector Name:
Date:
Time:
Exterior System Inspection
Is fan intact and operational?
Any unusual fan vibrations?
yes
yes
no
no
Interior System Inspection
Any heaving or subsidence at
suction point? yes
Any whistling noises noted? yes
no
no
Is vent piping/downspout intact?
yes
Caulk seals inspected?
yes
Any caulking required around
fan and piping connections?
yes
Cracking or Separation of piping
joints?
yes
Tenant Observations
Any change in fan noise or
vibration?
Any lack of differential pressure
in the manometer?
Have you turned the fan off for
any period of time?
Have you or the owner made
any changes to the basement?
yes
yes
yes
yes
Reason?
If so, what were the changes:
Measurements
System Manometer Reading "H20
Vacuum Point 1 "H20
Vacuum Point 2 "H20
Vacuum Point 3 "H20
Vacuum Point 4 "H20
Initial System Manometer Reading "H20
Vacuum Point 1 "H20
Vacuum Point 2 "H20
Vacuum Point 3 "H20
Vacuum Point 4 "H20
Is the System Manometer Steady? yes n£
Comments (any repairs made
while visiting, etc...):
------- |