Vapor Intrusion Testing and Brownfield Assessment Environmental Justice Block
Attleboro, MAeNVE
Challenges:
A release of chlorinated solvents (primarily TCE) occurred to surface soil at a former industrial site located upgradient of a residential neighborhood. Assessment data indicated that impacted groundwater extended beneath five homes in the downgradient area. A vapor intrusion study was conducted to determine if immediate response actions were needed to address potential impact to indoor air.
Solutions:
ES&M partnered with EPA Region 1 to develop a soil gas, indoor air and ambient air sampling plan that met EPA Quality Assurance guidelines as well as MassDEP guidance. The work plan required access to five homes located in this Environmental Justice census block. ES&M worked with each homeowner to answer their questions and to arrange for convenient times to access their homes.
The work included installation of soil gas probes in each home to determine concentrations of solvents and other site-related compounds beneath the basement floors. Data from these probes were compared to indoor air and ambient sample results to determine attenuation factors for each residence. The study revealed that the vapor intrusion pathway was not complete in any of the homes. By using an on-site gas chromatogram, we were able to pin point an interior source of TCE in one home that would have otherwise required immediate response actions under the MCP.
A release of chlorinated solvents (primarily TCE) occurred to surface soil at a former industrial site located upgradient of a residential neighborhood. Assessment data indicated that impacted groundwater extended beneath five homes in the downgradient area. A vapor intrusion study was conducted to determine if immediate response actions were needed to address potential impact to indoor air.
Solutions:
ES&M partnered with EPA Region 1 to develop a soil gas, indoor air and ambient air sampling plan that met EPA Quality Assurance guidelines as well as MassDEP guidance. The work plan required access to five homes located in this Environmental Justice census block. ES&M worked with each homeowner to answer their questions and to arrange for convenient times to access their homes.
The work included installation of soil gas probes in each home to determine concentrations of solvents and other site-related compounds beneath the basement floors. Data from these probes were compared to indoor air and ambient sample results to determine attenuation factors for each residence. The study revealed that the vapor intrusion pathway was not complete in any of the homes. By using an on-site gas chromatogram, we were able to pin point an interior source of TCE in one home that would have otherwise required immediate response actions under the MCP.