Vapor Intrusion Resources

On this page:

• Technical Documents
• Tools
• Other Resources
• Related Links

Technical Documents

• Background Indoor Air Concentrations of Volatile Organic Compounds in North American Residences (1990 – 2005): A Compilation of Statistics for Assessing Vapor Intrusion (pdf) (817.06 KB)
  This technical report presents a summary of indoor air studies that measured background concentrations of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the indoor air of thousands of North American residences and an evaluation and compilation of the statistical information reported in these studies. The objective of this compilation is to illustrate the ranges and variability of VOC concentrations in indoor air resulting from sources other than vapor intrusion. Similar compilations have been previously published, but these have been based on generally older data or limited statistical information.
• EPA's Vapor Intrusion Database: Evaluation and Characterization of Attenuation Factors for Chlorinated Volatile Organic Compounds and Residential Buildings
• Conceptual Model Scenarios for the Vapor Intrusion Pathway (pdf) (2.23 MB)
  This report provides simplified simulation examples to illustrate graphically how subsurface conditions and building-specific characteristics determine (1) the distribution of vapor-forming chemicals in the subsurface, and (2) the indoor air concentration relative to a source concentration.  It was prepared to help environmental practitioners gain insights into the processes and variables involved in the vapor intrusion pathway and to provide a theoretical framework with which to draw inferences about and better understand the complex vapor fate and transport conditions typically encountered at actual, non-idealized contaminated sites.
• Indoor Air Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Approaches (pdf) (522.03 KB)
  The National Risk Management Research Laboratory has developed a technology transfer document regarding management and treatment of vapor intrusion into building structures. This document describes the range of mitigation technologies available. The document also provides information on selecting appropriate technologies in consultation with qualified engineering and risk management professionals.
• Petroleum Hydrocarbons And Chlorinated Hydrocarbons Differ In Their Potential For Vapor Intrusion 

Tools

• EPA Spreadsheet for Modeling Subsurface Vapor Intrusion — This spreadsheet tool implements the steady-state solution to vapor transport (infinite or non-diminishing source and steady-state vapor concentrations) described by Johnson and Ettinger in 1991. 
• Vapor Intrusion Database — Contains site-specific measurements of vapor attenuation factors, which express the reduction in vapor concentrations as volatile contaminants move from sub-surface sources into indoor air.

Other Resources

Brownfields Technology Primer: Vapor Intrusion Considerations for Redevelopment
The Brownfields and Land Revitalization Technology Support Center has developed this primer for land revitalization stakeholders concerned about vapor intrusion, including property owners, municipalities, and real estate developers. This document provides an overview of vapor intrusion and how it can affect redevelopment. It also summarizes techniques for quickly and cost effectively assessing the potential for vapor intrusion, which can be implemented in consultation with qualified scientists and engineers.

• Fact Sheet for Correcting the Henry's Law Constant for Temperature
• Vapor Intrusion Screening Levels

Related Links

Underground Storage Tanks: Petroleum Vapor Intrusion

• Petroleum Vapor Intrusion (PVI)

Research and Development

• Characterization and Monitoring Research
  • Temporal Variation of VOCs in Soils from Groundwater to the Surface/Subslab - APM 349 (PDF) (143 pp, 8.6MB, About PDF)
  • Vertical Distribution of VOCs in Soils from Groundwater to the Surface/Subslab (PDF) (326 pp, 18MB, About PDF)
  • Final Project Report for the Development of An Active Soil Gas Sampling Method (PDF) (178 pp, 11MB, About PDF)

Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council Website

• Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council - Vapor Intrusion