Remedial Action Plans And Remediation System Design

 
 

CATEGORY OF SERVICE, LOCATION:

Active Sub-Slab Vapor Depressurization System (design, construction, O&M), Alameda, CA

TYPE OF CLIENT:

Property Development/Management Company

BACKGROUND:

While reviewing the site for closure, Alameda County requested the collection of sub-slab vapor samples for volatile organic compound (VOC) and Stoddard Solvent analysis to determine if the former dry cleaning operations at the site affected soil beneath the building and resulted in the potential for vapors to migrate into the building.  A sampling program was designed and implemented and sub-slab vapor results indicated elevated levels tetrachlorethene, vinyl chloride, carbon tetrachloride and Stoddard solvent were present beneath the building.  Mitigation of the vapor intrusion risk to indoor air for the commercial building was warranted.  A sub-slab depressurization pilot test was conducted, followed by the design and installation of an active sub-slab depressurization system.

CLIENT GOALS FOR PROJECT:

Mitigate the vapor intrusion risk to indoor air for the commercial building in the most cost-effective manner without significantly disturbing the building tenants or their business operations.

PROJECT APPROACH:

Trinity conducted a sub-slab depressurization pilot test during the weekend after business hours to determine if an active or passive system was needed to mitigate the vapor intrusion concern.  Pilot test results indicated that an active sub-slab depressurization system (SSDS) with carbon abatement was needed for the site.  The system was designed, permitted, installed and operated and maintained by Trinity.

RESULTS, RESOLUTION, NEXT STEPS:

  • The SSDS startup and continued operation was successful at mitigating the vapor intrusion pathway beneath the building.  The SSDS system influent concentrations reduced significantly enough to cease carbon abatement before discharge to the atmosphere and modify the air permit from monthly to quarterly system monitoring.
  • The next step is to shut the SSDS down to evaluate rebound effects and determine if sub-slab VOC and Stoddard solvent concentrations are below closure action levels.  A component of this phase will be to determine a site-specific attenuation factor to apply to the sub-slab vapor concentrations.  Radon gas testing in the sub-slab vapor and inside the building are proposed in order to develop a suitable attenuation factor.