TY - GEN
T1 - Vapor intrusion site characterization - Why invest the time, effort and money in modeling?
AU - Pennell, Kelly G.
AU - Bozkurt, Ozgur
AU - Suuberg, Eric M.
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - Designing and implementing sampling plans to characterize vapor intrusion (VI) risks can be difficult. In addition to different jurisdictions having different requirements, the literature contains conflicting data and recommendations. In general, scientific understanding lags behind the need to assess risks. To date, several VI models have been developed to aid scientific understanding, but most models have been designed as binary screening tools - assessing whether or not a site warrants more investigation. A very small number of more advanced models have been developed to help answer specific questions about vapor phase fate and transport processes. Properly developed 3-D models can provide a means to quantitatively assess the effect of various physical, chemical and biological processes on VI. Further, and very importantly, they can be used to inform site characterization activities by evaluating the effects of specific site features. The widely used screening models are typically not sophisticated enough for a comprehensive evaluation of vapor intrusion complexities, and tend to be very conservative. The complexity that can be incorporated into 3-D models has been rapidly increasing and considerable knowledge has been gained regarding the consequences of various site characteristics on VI rates. This paper discusses some results of the quantitative 3-D modeling research being conducted by the authors. Modeling results for scenarios that incorporate stratified geologies and common site features will be presented and compared to commonly utilized VI sampling plans. The results suggest that VI modeling can improve VI risk assessments and aid in the interpretation of field data.
AB - Designing and implementing sampling plans to characterize vapor intrusion (VI) risks can be difficult. In addition to different jurisdictions having different requirements, the literature contains conflicting data and recommendations. In general, scientific understanding lags behind the need to assess risks. To date, several VI models have been developed to aid scientific understanding, but most models have been designed as binary screening tools - assessing whether or not a site warrants more investigation. A very small number of more advanced models have been developed to help answer specific questions about vapor phase fate and transport processes. Properly developed 3-D models can provide a means to quantitatively assess the effect of various physical, chemical and biological processes on VI. Further, and very importantly, they can be used to inform site characterization activities by evaluating the effects of specific site features. The widely used screening models are typically not sophisticated enough for a comprehensive evaluation of vapor intrusion complexities, and tend to be very conservative. The complexity that can be incorporated into 3-D models has been rapidly increasing and considerable knowledge has been gained regarding the consequences of various site characteristics on VI rates. This paper discusses some results of the quantitative 3-D modeling research being conducted by the authors. Modeling results for scenarios that incorporate stratified geologies and common site features will be presented and compared to commonly utilized VI sampling plans. The results suggest that VI modeling can improve VI risk assessments and aid in the interpretation of field data.
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M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:70449762904
SN - 9781615670451
SN - 9781615670451
T3 - Air and Waste Management Association - Vapor Intrusion Conference 2009
SP - 210
EP - 232
BT - Air and Waste Management Association - Vapor Intrusion Conference 2009
T2 - Air and Waste Management Association - Vapor Intrusion Conference 2009
Y2 - 27 January 2009 through 30 January 2009
ER -