Measuring Naphthalene for a Vapor Intrusion Study: Two Methods Deployed at a Former Wood Treating Site
Oral Presentation
Prepared by M. Kerr1, K. Fusinski2
1 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 536 S. Clark St., ML-10C, Chicago, IL, 60605, United States
2 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 9311 Groh Rd., Grosse Ile, MI, 48138, United States
Contact Information: kerr.michelle@epa.gov; 312-886-8961
ABSTRACT
Naphthalene is a contaminant of concern at sites subjected to coal tar waste, and has a high enough vapor pressure to present human health risks via the inhalation pathway where vapor intrusion may be an exposure route of concern. A variety of methods to measure naphthalene in air exist. But, unlike for chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs), relatively little technical guidance is available on appropriate methods for a vapor intrusion investigation that focuses on naphthalene. This work compares results for naphthalene measurements collected by two different methods, EPA’s TO-15 and TO-17 Methods. Several CVOCs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in soil gas, sub-slab soil gas, ambient, and indoor air at co-located points on a former wood treater Superfund site. CVOCs were collected in canisters and bottles with passive regulators and analysis was done by TO-15 method. PAHs were collected on multi-bedded sorbent tubes with active flow pumps and analyzed following the TO-17 method. Results for naphthalene obtained from the canister/TO-15 method were on average 2.5 times higher than results obtained with sorbent tubes and TO-17, but only 50% of the time the paired samples (n=96) showed higher levels of naphthalene via the TO-15 method. Results from each method generally tracked one another qualitatively. Lower reporting limits were achieved with the TO-17 method. This, combined with lower equipment and logistical costs, illustrates the utility of choosing the tube/TO-17 method for measuring naphthalene at a vapor intrusion site.
Oral Presentation
Prepared by M. Kerr1, K. Fusinski2
1 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 536 S. Clark St., ML-10C, Chicago, IL, 60605, United States
2 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 9311 Groh Rd., Grosse Ile, MI, 48138, United States
Contact Information: kerr.michelle@epa.gov; 312-886-8961
ABSTRACT
Naphthalene is a contaminant of concern at sites subjected to coal tar waste, and has a high enough vapor pressure to present human health risks via the inhalation pathway where vapor intrusion may be an exposure route of concern. A variety of methods to measure naphthalene in air exist. But, unlike for chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs), relatively little technical guidance is available on appropriate methods for a vapor intrusion investigation that focuses on naphthalene. This work compares results for naphthalene measurements collected by two different methods, EPA’s TO-15 and TO-17 Methods. Several CVOCs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in soil gas, sub-slab soil gas, ambient, and indoor air at co-located points on a former wood treater Superfund site. CVOCs were collected in canisters and bottles with passive regulators and analysis was done by TO-15 method. PAHs were collected on multi-bedded sorbent tubes with active flow pumps and analyzed following the TO-17 method. Results for naphthalene obtained from the canister/TO-15 method were on average 2.5 times higher than results obtained with sorbent tubes and TO-17, but only 50% of the time the paired samples (n=96) showed higher levels of naphthalene via the TO-15 method. Results from each method generally tracked one another qualitatively. Lower reporting limits were achieved with the TO-17 method. This, combined with lower equipment and logistical costs, illustrates the utility of choosing the tube/TO-17 method for measuring naphthalene at a vapor intrusion site.
