Community outreach

Community outreach

An effective outreach strategy that anticipates the needs and concerns of affected property owners and the community at large is important when vapor intrusion is involved. When citizens are well-informed about the issues surrounding a site, their questions and concerns can be more effectively addressed. Early two-way communication is essential for a successful investigation and mitigation effort. The following model letters and fact sheets are available for use with your outreach communications.

Template/model letters

The DNR created template letters to help environmental professionals communicate vapor intrusion investigations with affected property owners in plain, easily understood languauge. Because of the complex nature of vapor intrusion investigations, it is not possible to create a template letter for every situation. These template letters are yours to use as you see fit, in whole or in part.

• Introduction to Vapor Intrusion Issue in Neighborhood (RR-958) [DOCM] - an introductory letter from a responsible party regarding vapor intrusion investigation and/or cleanup in a neighborhood.

Request for access to sample

• First Request for Access to Sample for Vapor Intrusion (RR-956) [DOCM] - a template letter seeking permission to gain property access to test for vapor intrusion.
• Second Request for Access to Sample for Vapor Intrusion (RR-957) [DOCM] - a template letter seeking permission to gain property access to test for vapor intrusion if the first letter yields no repsonse.
• Access Agreement to Sample for Vapor Intrusion (RR-976) [DOCM] - a template access agreement to formally allow access for vapor intrusion sampling.

Sample results

• Vapor Intrusion Sample Results No Detection (RR-960) [DOCM] - a template letter for a responsible party to send to a homeowner after vapor intrusion sampling does not detect the presence of the contaminant of concern.
• Vapor Intrusion Sample Results Below Screening Level (RR-961) [DOCM] - a letter for a responsible party to send to a homeowner when vapor intrusion sample results detect the contaminant of concern below screening level.
• Vapor Intrusion Sample Results Above Screening Level (RR-962) [DOCM] - a template letter for a responsible party to send to a homeowner when the contaminant of concern is detected above applicable screening levels.

Request to install mitigation system

• First Request for Vapor Intrusion Mitigation System Installation (RR-959) [DOCM] - a template letter to send to homeowner to suggest installing a vapor intrusion mitigation system.
• Second Request for Vapor Intrusion Mitigation System Installation (RR-985) [DOCM] - a template letter to send to homeowner to suggest installing a vapor intrusion mitigation system if the first attempt yields no response.
• Access Agreement for Installation of Vapor Mitigation System (RR-984) [DOCM] - template access agreement to formally allow for access and installation of a vapor intrusion mitigation system.

DNR fact sheets

These fact sheets are intended to help environmental consultants and responsible parties communicate critical information about the vapor intrusion pathway to affected property owners. The fact sheets can be used in conjunction with template letters or as stand-alone documents.  When planning an outreach strategy, decide which fact sheets and other tools best support the information you want to communicate to neighbors and other interested parties.

• What is Vapor Intrusion (RR-892) [PDF] - This fact sheet defines vapor intrusion, why it is a problem and what to expect if it is suspected near a home or business.
• Why Test for Vapor Intrusion? (RR-953) [PDF] - This fact sheet provides information for home and business owners to consider when deciding whether to allow access for vapor intrusion sampling.
• What to Expect During Vapor Intrusion Sampling (RR-954) [PDF] - This fact sheet helps home and business owners understand the process of collecting sub-slab vapor samples.
• Understanding Chemical Vapor Intrusion Testing Results (RR-977) [PDF] - This fact sheet helps home and business owners understand laboratory results and explains screening levels.
• Who Should I Contact About Vapor Intrusion Investigations? (RR-934) [PDF] - This document defines the responsibilities of Department of Health Services/Division of Public Health (DHS/DPH), local health departments and DNR staff in assessing and mitigating human health risk at vapor intrusion sites.
• Environmental Contamination & Your Real Estate (RR-973) [PDF] - When soil or groundwater contamination is discovered in a rural or urban area, one of the questions that homeowners may raise is whether such information will impact the market value of their property and if so, to what extent. This publication discusses the issue.

Guidance

Guidance on addressing vapor intrusion

Vapor migration is a contaminant pathway that needs to be evaluated like other pathways. Its evaluation is required by NR 716.11(5)(a), (b), (g) and (h), Wis. Adm. Code.

DNR guidance

• DNR Case Closure Continuing Obligations: Vapor Intrusion (RR-042) [PDF] - This document helps responsible parties and environmental consultants determine which vapor intrusion continuing obligations should be selected when preparing for site closure and completing the Case Closure Request form (4400-202) [PDF].
• Addressing Vapor Intrusion at Remediation & Redevelopment Sites in Wisconsin (RR-800) [PDF] - describes the process that responsible parties and consultants should use to address the vapor intrusion pathway at contaminated properties in Wisconsin.
• Sub-slab Vapor Sampling Procedures (RR-986) [PDF] - provides a detailed description of materials, methodology, sample frequency and report results for collection of sub-slab vapor samples.
• Maintenance Plans for Vapor Mitigation Systems/Vapor Intrusion Response Actions (RR-981) [PDF] - This document is an addendum to RR-606 and provides a checklist of items to address in a maintenance plan for a variety of vapor mitigation responses.

Supplemental resources

EPA guidance

• Technical Guide for Assessing and Migrating the Vapor Intrusion Pathway from Subsurface Vapor Sources to Indoor Air [PDF exit DNR] - June 2015
• Technical Guide for Addressing Petroleum Vapor Intrusion at Leaking Underground Storage Tank Sites [PDF exit DNR] - June 2015
• EPA Vapor Intrusion [exit DNR]
• Support for EPA Vapor Intrusion Guidance
  • EnviroGroup Limited Vapor Intrusion [exit DNR]
  • Workshops and Conferences [exit DNR]
• CLU-IN Vapor Intrusion Focus Page [exit DNR]
• Indoor Air Concentration Unit Conversion [exit DNR]
• Petroleum Hydrocarbons And Chlorinated Hydrocarbons Differ In Their Potential For Vapor Intrusion [PDF exit DNR] – Informational Paper
• Indoor Air Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Approaches [PDF exit DNR]

Please note that the vapor screening levels found in the “Tables” section of EPA's 2002 guidance are out of date. To determine Wisconsin's vapor action levels for indoor air and vapor risk screening levels for sub-slab, soil gases and groundwater, please see the “screening levels” tab on this page.

DHS guidance

• Vapor intrusion health hazards [exit DNR]
• Radon Mitigation (Reduction): Wisconsin Certified Radon Mitigation Contractors [exit DNR] - Contractors on this list have passed national proficiency standards for mitigating (reducing) radon in buildings. The DNR strongly suggests that vapor intrusion mitigation be performed by contractors who have been certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP [exit DNR]).

ITRC guidance

• Vapor intrusion pathway documents [exit DNR]
• ITRC's Vapor Intrusion Pathway: A Practical Guide [PDF exit DNR]
• Petroleum Vapor Intrusion: Fundamentals of Screening, Investigation, and Management [exit DNR] - a link to the webinar on this guidance is available in the "Other resources" tab

Screening levels

Quick look-up table of Indoor Vapor Action Levels (VALs) and Vapor Risk Screening Levels (VRSL)

Indoor air vapor action levels (VALs) are based on U.S. EPA's Regional Screening Level Tables [exit DNR], applying a 1 x 10-5 excess lifetime cancer risk or HI -1. The Quick Look-Up Table below is for VOCs frequently encountered on remediation sites. This table is updated semi-annually.

The Quick Look-up Table for VALs and VRSL [PDF] provides:

• indoor air VALs for VOCs frequently encountered on remediation sites;
• sub-slab vapor risk screening levels (VRLS) for three building categories (residential, small commercial and large commercial/industrial for these common VOCs);
• a formula for converting from ppbv to mg/m3;
• links and formula for determining VALs for other VOCs;
• attenuation factors for four screening media (crawl space, sub-slab, soil gas and groundwater); and
• a formula for calculating VRSLs for any VOC using VALs and attenuation factors.

Please note: Two look-up tables were previously provided on this page. These tables have been merged into one document in the December 2015 revision. The content of the two previous tables is preserved in this single revised version.

Using EPA's Vapor Intrusion Screening Level Calculator to Determine DNR VALs

The U.S. EPA Vapor Intrusion Screening Level Calculator (VISL) and VISL User Guide [exit DNR] can be used to calculate DNR VALs for compounds not listed in the Quick Look-up Table. The user can use the drop-down check box beside the chemical name (listed alphabetically) to adjust the compounds viewed on the worksheet. The user should adjust the default target risk to 1x10-5 and choose the risk scenario (residential or commercial). The calculator will then provide the target indoor concentrations for the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic endpoints. The DNR VAL is equal to the lesser of the two values.

Training

DNR webinar trainings

The Remediation and Redevelopment Program provides web and teleconference-based training sessions that cover a variety of technical and policy issues.  Visit the RR Program training library to access the presentations and find vapor intrusion related topics.

2014 Vapor Intrusion Outreach "Toolkit"

Anticipating the needs and concerns of affected property owners and the community at large is critically important whenever vapor intrusion is involved. Clear and effective communication with them should be one of the goals of any outreach plan. To help with those efforts, DNR created a comprehensive toolkit of vapor intrusion communication materials to increase the consistency and effectiveness of communications between responsible parties and the public.

• Vapor Intrusion Outreach Toolkit and Sub-slab Vapor Sampling Procedures Guidance - Terry Evanson and Outreach Staff (DNR) [VIDEO Length 00:44:59]

2011 Vapor Intrusion Issues in Wisconsin - FET Webinars

In March 2011, staff from the RR Program participated in two Federation of Environmental Technologists (FET) webinars about vapor intrusion issues in Wisconsin. The agenda, PowerPoint presentation slides and videos of the presentations are available below.

• 2011 FET agenda [PDF]

PowerPoint slides

• The Vapor Intrusion Pathway [PDF]
• Vapor Intrusion Basics (Part I) [PDF] - Terry Evanson (DNR)
• Vapor Intrusion Basics (Part II), DNR's Vapor Intrusion Guidance, Response to Vapor Intrusion & Case Examples [PDF] - Terry Evanson (DNR)
• Case Examples: Camelot Cleaners [PDF] - Tom Hvizdak (DNR)
• Case Examples: Paragon Electric [PDF] - Annette Weissbach (DNR)
• Case Examples: Sterling Dry Cleaners [PDF] - Jennifer Borski (DNR)
• Case Examples: When Bad Things Happen To Good People - Working With State and Local Health Departments When Residents are Impacted by Vapor Intrusion [PDF] - Pam Mylotta (DNR)

Video presentations

• Vapor Intrusion Basics (Part I) - Terry Evanson (DNR) [VIDEO Length 00:56:19]
• Vapor Intrusion Basics (Part II) - Terry Evanson (DNR) [VIDEO Length 00:47:01]
• DNR's Vapor Intrusion Guidance - Terry Evanson (DNR) [VIDEO Length 01:17:07]
• Response to Vapor Intrusion - Terry Evanson (DNR) [VIDEO Length 00:18:44]
• Vapor Intrusion: Case Examples - Terry Evanson (DNR) [VIDEO Length 00:17:43]
• Case Examples: Camelot Cleaners - Tom Hvizdak (DNR) [VIDEO Length 00:12:52]
• Case Examples: Paragon Electric - Annette Weissbach (DNR) [VIDEO Length 00:36:02]
• Case Examples: Sterling Dry Cleaners - Jennifer Borski (DNR) [VIDEO Length 00:33:32]
• Case Examples: When Bad Things Happen To Good People - Working With State and Local Health Departments When Residents are Impacted by Vapor Intrusion - Pam Mylotta (DNR) [VIDEO Length 00:26:44]

Other resources

Publications

Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC)

• Vapor Intrusion Mitigation in Construction of New Buildings Fact Sheet [PDF] - This document provides practical advice for designing and installing vapor mitigation systems beneath new buildings.

American Petroleum Institute

• Collecting and Interpreting Soil Gas Samples from the Vadose Zone: A Practical Strategy for Assessing the Subsurface Vapor-to-Indoor Air Migration Pathway at Petroleum Hydrocarbon Sites [exit DNR]

Electric Power Reserach Institute (EPRI)

• Reference Handbook for Site-Specific Assessment of Subsurface Vapor Intrusion to Indoor Air [exit DNR]

Webinars

Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC)

• Petroleum Vapor Intrusion: Fundamentals of Screening, Investigation and Management webinar [exit DNR] - This webinar discusses the petroleum vapor intrusion guidance document prepared by ITRC. (1/13/13)

Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP)

• Field Methods to Distinguish between Vapor Intrusion and Indoor Sources of VOCs - Module 1 [exit DNR] - This 30 minute webinar discusses the many consumer products that contribute VOCs to indoor air and how indoor air contaminants can influence sub-slab vapor concentrations.

Contacts

Contacts

If you have general questions, contact either Alyssa Sellwood (608-266-3084) or a regional vapor intrusion expert from the table below.

For site specific questions please contact a DNR regional project manager. To determine which project manager you should contact, please see the RR Program's regional map [PDF].