Background Metals Concentrations in Ohio's Urbans Soils - A Progress Report

In April 2009, Ohio EPA's Voluntary Action Program (VAP) staff announced the formation of a working group to evaluate background concentrations of metals and other substances in urban soils. The primary goal of the evaluation is to streamline the efforts of Volunteers seeking a Covenant Not to Sue under the VAP on properties intended for unrestricted future use within urbanized areas. However, the evaluations also will be beneficial to others completing risk-based cleanups under other environmental programs. Initial data sets are in.  Let the evaluations begin!
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Additional Labs VAP-Certified for Cis-DCE in Air

In August of last year our newsletter discussed the fact that only one lab was certified to analyze cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cis-DCE) in air under Ohio’s Voluntary Action Program (VAP). Cis-DCE is a breakdown product of tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE),which are present at more than half of all RCRA sites, and is a ubiquitous constituent of concern in vapor-intrusion investigations. Unfortunately, cis-DCE has long been an orphan in the regulations, since it is a breakdown product and rarely or never a manufactured product. Many of us are familiar with the phrase “Appendix IX-plus-CIS” when discussing groundwater under RCRA. Until recently, only one lab was certified to analyze cis-DCE in air under Ohio’s VAP, and it used EPA Method 8260, which was designed for groundwater, not air.

TestAmerica’s Knoxville lab and Pace’s Indianapolis lab are now certified for cis-DCE in air under the Ohio VAP. Both use EPA Method TO-15, which is specifically designed for air and gives more accurate results. The availability of two new labs will allow far more flexibility for air sampling, and will prove to be especially helpful when dealing with vapor intrusion issues.