Modeling vapor intrusion processes and evaluating risks using subslab data

This paper considers the significance of observed subslab contaminant concentrations on the vapor intrusion process. In field measurements, there is observed wide variability in the ratio of indoor air contaminant concentration to subslab contaminant concentration. Here various aspects of the relationship of subslab concentrations to indoor contaminant levels are explored using a three-dimensional fluid dynamics model of the process. Subslab concentrations are determined mainly by diffusional processes and they are reasonably uniform across the subslab for buildings on homogeneous soils (with no significant advective subsurface disturbance). Also, subslab concentrations do not determine the main mode of contaminant entry into a structure (advection or diffusion), and widely different contaminant entry rates can be obtained with very similar subslab concentrations, depending upon whether the soil type supports advection or not.