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THE USE OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SAMPLERS FOR SOIL-GAS MEASUREMENT
Citation:
Kerfoot, H. AND C. Mayer. THE USE OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SAMPLERS FOR SOIL-GAS MEASUREMENT. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/4-89/008 (NTIS PB89166359), 1989.
Description:
This report describes a field evaluation of a passive-sampling technique for soil-gas surveying. The system uses a sampler, consisting of an industrial hygiene organic vapor monitor inside a metal sampling manifold, buried at a depth of approximately 0.3 meters (1 foot). Samplers are analyzed off site by NIOSH Method P&CAM 127. For passive sampling in general and this technique in particular, an absorbent sampler is buried at a shallow depth and allowed to collect VOCs from the soil atmosphere. After a set time (8 hours to several weeks), the sampler is retrieved, sealed immediately, and transported to a laboratory for analysis. Analysis results indicate the identity and concentration of VOCs collected by the sampler. The main advantage of passive sampling lies in the simplicity of field operations, i.e., field support (supplies, personnel, and equipment) is much less costly than for grab sampling, and equipment problems are virtually non-existent. The disadvantages associated with passive sampling are that results are not available for days to weeks and that deep sampling is difficult without more elaborate equipment.