New studies provide insight into vapor intrusion at dry cleaners
Posted by John McAllister on Tue, Oct 25, 2011 @ 02:15 PM
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) each recently released studies relating to vapor migration control systems at dry cleaners. The studies were described in the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publication Technology News and Trends (see link below).
The NYSDEC study suggests that active sub-slab venting/depressurization near the source of a release may have significant benefits as it relates to the potential for vapor migration into surrounding residential buildings.
The FL DEP study traced the source of a portion of tetrachloroethene (PCE) contaminants detected in a soil vapor extraction (SVE) system at an active dry cleaner to current dry cleaning operations, as indicated by a cyclic pattern of increasing and decreasing PCE concentrations in extracted vapor concentrations on a daily basis. This finding suggests that the concrete slab is providing little attenuation for vapor migration of chlorinated solvents.
Link to EPA newsletter : http://www.clu-in.org/products/newsltrs/tnandt/view.cfm?issue=0911.cfm#4
For more information regarding the cleanup of chlorinated solvents, vapor intrusion, and sub-slab depressurization please call Charles Young at (508) 747-7900 x126.