EPA Reaches Settlement that Includes Vapor Intrusion Monitoring

Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $3 million settlement with two companies to complete groundwater contamination cleanup and vapor intrusion monitoring at a site in Mountain View, California. The companies will be required to spend several million dollars to finish the cleanup and conduct the monitoring.

The property housed a circuit board manufacturing plant from 1970 to 1985 that used various industrial solvents, including trichloroethylene (TCE).  Chemicals contaminated the soil and groundwater at the location.  A groundwater cleanup system operated for nearly 10 years under the initial cleanup plan, treating more than 100 million gallons of groundwater to reduce the size of the TCE groundwater plume. In September 2011, EPA amended the cleanup plan for both groundwater and vapor intrusion.

“Our goal is to protect the people living and working in this community from the harmful effects of vapor intrusion,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “This settlement requires the final cleanup of the groundwater, eliminating the potential for contaminants to enter homes and buildings.”

Trichloroethylene can cause a number of health issues for people exposed to it in the air they breathe.  Acute and chronic inhalation exposure to TCE can affect the central nervous system, with symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, confusion, euphoria, facial numbness and weakness.  Liver, kidney, immunological, endocrine and developmental effects have also been reported.

One company that has been on the forefront of helping to test for contaminated water and vapor intrusion issues in buildings across California is LA Testing. “It is great to hear that monitoring for vapor intrusion is part of the EPA settlement,” reported Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Garden Grove facility. “Exposure to TCE vapors is serious and people living above contaminated soil and water need to be aware if they are being exposed to hazardous chemicals in their air. LA Testing offers testing supplies and analysis to help determine if TCE and a wide range of other chemicals are present in air, water and soil.”

LA Testing has sponsored an online educational video about the dangers associated with vapor intrusion. It can be seen at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TLCXmehOwE. To learn more about testing for air, water, soil or vapor intrusion issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

About LA Testing
LA Testing, is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Garden Grove, San Leandro and San Diego.

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