It Came From Beneath: Detecting and Mitigating Vapor Intrusion

Although indoor air quality has been a topic of intense public health inquiry for many years, it’s only been relatively recent that vapor intrusion has been recognized as a source of indoor air contaminants. Today researchers are searching for better ways to measure and control volatile chemicals that can enter buildings from the soil and groundwater beneath them.© JG Photography/Alamy Stock Photo Vapor intrusion is often associated with contaminated groundwater. The widespread use of volatile chemicals has resulted in innumerable groundwater plumes across the United States, some documented, some not. IBM’s manufacturing plant in Endicott, New York, seen here circa 1958, is one of the better-studied sites.© George Rinhart/Getty Images When chemicals are spilled or dumped on the ground, vapors can form and travel far through the soil. Under the right conditions, chemicals that make their way into groundwater can travel miles from the original source, following the path of least resistance. Vapors may enter homes by any of a number of pathways, including cracks, seams, or openings in a building’s foundation or floor; expansion joints in a concrete slab; or fractured rock exposed in a crawlspace. Newer research indicates sewer pipes also may contribute to vapor intrusion. Vapors can enter sewer pipes through cracks or improperly fitted joints, and sewage itself may contain volatile chemicals that were dumped either legally or illeg...
Source: EHP Research - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Featured Focus News August 2016 Source Type: research