Abstract |
The environmental issue of vapor intrusion, which can result from soil and groundwater contamination in areas below a building, has become a priority topic for many areas of the country. These are typically areas where volatile organic compounds are present in the subsurface. Just when the contamination at many sites was thought to be under control, it's become obvious that this new exposure pathway is part of the environmental risk at many Superfund sites. In March, 2008 in San Diego, a workshop was held that brought together a number of practitioners and community members. People from both groups learned from each other. The regulators and industry representatives taught the community folks and the community folks (those impacted) shared their experiences about vapor intrusion in their homes. Soon after, there was a call for an east coast version of the workshop. It was called the 'EPA National Forum on Vapor Intrusion'. EPA Superfund and Technology Liaisons Bill Hagel (EPA Region 3) and Michael Gill (EPA Region 9) led this 2-day Forum, which was held in Philadelphia on January 1213, 2009. The Forum covered dual tracks highlighting community stakeholder and government issues. These following proceedings cover this Philadelphia gathering. |