EPA’s 2nd round of indoor testing during the weeks of February 26 and March for buildings in the Meeker Plume Superfund site.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering indoor testing for buildings in the Meeker Plume Superfund site during the week of February 26 and the week of March 4. This is to discover vapor intrusions from underground sources of the plume.
Vapor intrusion happens when volatile chemicals in contaminated soil, buried wastes, etc. contaminate air pockets in between soil particles and enter buildings. Vapor intrusion is a major health concern, so the EPA is offering free testing for buildings in the boundaries of the Meeker Plume.
If interested in testing, it’s best to sign up ASAP, because the EPA schedules indoor air testing several weeks in advance. If you are or know someone interested contact John Brennan at brennan.john.f@epa.gov or 212-637-3881, or contact Rupika Ketu at ketu.rupika@epa.gov or 212-637-3258.
The area of the Meeker Plume site is contained by Morgan Avenue, Kingsland Avenue, and Monitor Street to the west; Norman Avenue, Bridgewater Street, and Meeker Avenue to the north; Vandervoort Avenue, Porter Avenue, and the Newtown Creek to the east; and Lombardy Street, Withers Street, and Division Place to the south.
What can you expect if you sign up for testing?
The EPA will visit your home or business on three consecutive days: the first two they will be there for a total of about 60 to 90 minutes, on the third they will be there for a half hour. Day one the EPA arrives at your home at a pre-scheduled time and inspects the residence for any potential background sources and if needed, temporarily removes them. Then the EPA installs a sub-slab soil gas port through the floor of the lowest level space (the port is smaller than the size of a quarter). Typically, only one port is needed per home; it is cemented through the slab / floor, and the port can be removed once sampling is completed, and the floor will be restored. Day two the sample collection process begins, summa canisters are placed throughout multiple locations to collect samples from sub-slab soil gas ports, indoor air from the lowest, or two lowest, levels, and outdoor air. Samples are collected over a 24-hour period. Day three the EPA returns to retrieve the sample containers. They will take them to the lab for analysis. Property owners and tenants will be notified of results once they are available.
To sign up to test your home or business: Contact John Brennan at brennan.john.f@epa.gov or 212-637-3881, or contact Rupika Ketu at ketu.rupika@epa.gov or 212-637-3258. For updates on the Meeker Plume data and more information on vapor intrusion check out the recent CAG Meeting presentation: https://semspub.epa.gov/work/02/700561.pdf
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