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Alpine Environmental Services, Inc. - 1146 Central Avenue - Albany, New York 12205 - Phone (518)453-0146

Over the past several years, the vapor intrusion has gained
significant attention for potential indoor human exposure to volatile
organic chemicals (VOCs). These chemicals include chlorinated
solvents (i.e. dry cleaning chemicals, etc.), solvents, and petroleum
products (i.e. gasoline, fuel oil, etc.).   Groundwater and soils
contaminated with VOCs emit vapors into the air that fills the space
between soils. This contaminated air can be trapped under a building
foundation, or even drawn to a building foundation due to pressure
differentials, and enter into the building air.   These vapor intrusions
may pose a significant health risk to individuals in both residential and
industrial settings.

Numerous guidance documents have been developed by the US EPA
and various states, including the New York State Department of Health

In addition, the American Society of Testing & Materials (ASTM) has
issued a standard (Standard Practice for Assessment of Vapor
Intrusion into Structure on Property Involved in Real Estate; ASTM-
2600-08) which provides the guidance for performing a Vapor Intrusion
Assessment. This Standard is often used in conjunction with a Phase I
Environmental Site Assessment to determine if “potential vapor
intrusion conditions” (pVICs) are present prior to a real estate
transaction.

ALPINE has performed numerous vapor intrusion investigations for
onsite and offsite chlorinated solvent (i.e. perc, and TCE) and
petroleum (i.e. gasoline and fuel oil) contamination. These
investigations involve the collection of sub-slab, soil gas, and indoor
air samples in stainless steel canisters or passive monitors with the
appropriate laboratory analysis.

The collected data is analyzed using US Environmental Protection
Agency, US Center for Disease Control, and NYS Department of
Health guidance and risk exposure information to evaluate the vapor
intrusion condition.

Vapor Intrusion Pathway Investigations start at $1,900 in the Albany,
New York area for a small commercial or residential building.
Additional insight can be gained from more detailed soil gas/vapor
intrusion investigations. Tetrachloroethene (perk) had been found in
groundwater samples collected on an industrial site, and the source
could be onsite or any of the neighboring sites as they all had a history
of using the chemical.   A gradient diagram for soil gas levels of perk
clearly demonstrates the “hot spot”. This was in an area under one of
the manufacturing buildings on the site. Further analysis of the data
indicated a sub slab depressurization system was only necessary in
this section of the building.

Contact ALPINE for more information on Vapor Intrusion Investigation

               contact: Mark
               office:    (518)453-0146   X:303
               email:    MarkS@AlpineEnv.com