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.

DERR Biocriteria/QHEI Training

On May 25 and 26 I attended an Ohio EPA, Department of Emergency and Remedial Response sponsored Biocriteria/Stream Habitat training. The training was geared toward environmental professionals working in the Voluntary Action Program (VAP) who may not be completing Biocriteria/Stream Habitat assessments on a regular basis, but need to know the basics because these types of assessments may be included in No Further Action (NFA) letters for VAP sites. During the training we were provided with an overview of the three components of Biocriteria/Stream Habitat assessments, including:

Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI, fish evaluation),
Invertebrate Community Index (ICI), and
Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI).

On day one, all the participants were given the opportunity to electro-fish and set out invertebrate samplers (Hester-Dendy) in Blacklick Creek, which flows behind the Ohio EPA Field Office. Day two was set aside for QHEI field work, which was completed in Blacklick Creek and a small recovering drainage swale near Brice Road.

Throughout the training, a general theme emerged - the biology of a stream is a better indicator of a VAP site's impact on that water body than chemical parameters monitored through surface water and sediment grab samples. Often, even if chemical standards are not met, biological/habitat assessment activities are able to demonstrate that the stream meets it Ohio EPA use designation, and that additional assessment or remedial activities are not needed. Interestingly, the instructors indicated that the stream and riparian habitat, or lack thereof, is more often the cause of stream impairment at VAP sites, not the release of chemicals of concern to the stream. The take home message was that chemical analysis alone may not give a CP the complete picture of how a VAP site affected the stream; rather a biological/habitat assessment including an IBI, ICI, and QHEI provides a better representation.