ODW2367 – Vapor Intrusion Investigation Challenges and Solutions

Description: Evaluating vapor intrusion (VI) sites is often challenging due to background sources, spatial and temporal variability, and preferential pathways. Traditional methods often do not provide clear-cut answers. In this course, we will present innovative tools to evaluate VI quickly and cost-effectively. One such tool is high volume sampling (HVS), which can be used to identify source areas and evaluate spatial variability in sub-slab soil gas. Another tool is building pressure control (BPC) – alternately depressurizing a building (enhancing VI) and pressurizing a building (“turning off” VI) – which can be used to manage temporal variability and identify background sources. Geosyntec has successfully used HVS and BPC at sites across the US and abroad.

Course Year: 2023

Presenter Biography: Sam Baushke, PE (MI) is a professional environmental engineer with 16 years of experience in assessing and remediating environmentally impacted sites. He works on VI projects that make use of both traditional and innovative investigation and mitigation approaches. Sam has managed several VI projects for EGLE, including some using these innovative approaches, which were adapted to fit in Michigan’s regulatory framework for vapor intrusion.

Co-Presenter Biography: Bryan VanDuinen, PE (MI) is a professional environmental engineer with 11 years of experience in assessing and remediating sites, particularly those impacted by chlorinated solvents or with VI risks. He is the VI point of contact for Geosyntec’s Michigan offices. Bryan has implemented HVS at five sites and BPC at two sites in Michigan for design of VI mitigation and soil vapor extraction (SVE) systems and for rapid characterization of VI risks. Bryan also helped to develop and validate standard operating procedures (SOPs) for VI sampling methodologies for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).