Corporate Training By Zack Academy - Contaminant Vapor Migration and Intrusion

Why Should You Take This Contaminant Vapor Migration and Intrusion course?

This Contaminant Vapor Migration and Intrusion course provides an overview of the vapor intrusion exposure pathway including its scientific foundation, regulatory framework, and the technical aspects of investigating and remediating contaminated vapor sites. The class will cover topics such as: screening sites for potential vapor intrusion concerns, conducting field investigations, sampling techniques, data analyses, exposure point calculations, the Johnson and Ettinger predictive model, vapor intrusion risk assessment, vapor intrusion mitigation, and remediation. Participants will work through practical problems and typical site scenarios based on case studies of established vapor intrusion sites. This course provides a comprehensive introduction for those new to the field, and will also provide insights, data analysis techniques, and the latest research for more advanced participants.

Intended Audience:

Environmental professionals seeking an improved understanding of vapor migration and intrusion with an emphasis on vapor assessment and modeling. The material is intended for practitioners working on remediation of hazardous substance release sites and brownfields redevelopment.

Prerequisites:

Basic math skills and a general understanding of contaminated sites.

Topics To Be Covered Include: Please see the syllabus for a full list of course topics. 

What to Bring to Class:  Pen or pencil, and paper if you do not want to take notes in your manual. Drinks and snacks will be provided each day. Lunch will be on your own.

Syllabus

Introduction

Overview and Definitions

• Defining "volatile chemicals"
• Migration pathways

Vapor Migration Issues

• Human health risks
• Universal nature of pathway
• Mitigation/Remediation
• Future property development/brownfields redevelopment 

Vapor Chemistry

• 3 and 4 phase chemical partitioning
• Partitioning as predicted by: Henry"s law, vapor pressure, and Raoult"s law

Vapor Physics

• Diffusion
• Fick"s law
• Advection

Hydrogeology

• Soils
• Vapor permeability
• Heterogeneities
• Porosity (total, air-filled/water-filled)
• Perched water
• Preferential vapor migration

Biodegradation

• Chlorinated VOCs
• Petroleum hydrocarbons 

Building Design Issues

• Foundation types
• Space partitioning
• HVAC systems

Regulatory Framework:

• ITRC guidance
• DTSC guidance & CHHSLs
• RWQCB ESLs

Vapor Intrusion Investigations

• Sampling techniques for groundwater, soil, subslab, and indoor air
• Depth discrete
• Temporary vs. permanent monitoring points
• Analytical methods
• Spatial temporal variability
• Limitations
• Correlation to indoor levels

Data Analysis and Interpretation

• 90/95% UCLs
• Using means
• Partitioned buildings
• Separation of ventilation systems 

Johnson and Ettinger Model

• Types
• Data needs
• Parameter sensitivities
• Accuracy
• Value
• Problems and limitations
• Guidance

Case Studies

Vapor Mitigation Systems and Engineered Controls

• Modified HVAC systems
• Air treatment
• Sub-slab depressurization (types, performance/reliability)
• Vapor barriers (types, specifications)
• Combination systems

Vapor Remediation

• Source-zone treatment
• SVE systems
• Dual-phase
• Demonstrating compliance
• Off-gas treatment

Institutional Controls

• Government controls
• Propietary controls
• Enforcement tools with IC components
• Informational devices
• Monitoring of ICs 

New Developments in Vapor Intrusion

• Future of Johnson and Ettinger model
• EPA databases
• Correlation levels
• Empirical vs. theoretical results
• HVOCs vs. petroleum
• EPA guidance and use of generic attenuation factors
• Other vapor guidance