Cox-Colvin Presented on Soil-Gas Prospecting at AIPG Meeting

I presented a talk in September 2011 at the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) National Meeting in Bloomingdale, Illinois titled "The Use of Innovative Soil-Gas Sampling Methods to Locate VOC Sources". The presentation, which discussed how Cox-Colvin used the Vapor Pin to collect soil gas from beneath the floor of a large industrial facility to locate sources of volatile organic compound (VOC) contamination, was very well received. The use of the Vapor Pin, combined with collecting soil gas into disposable, evacuated glass vials, allowed us to collect approximately 240 samples over the entire building footprint in one week, using only hand-held equipment.

As we've seen at other sites, VOC contamination at this site was not located beneath former degreasing operations or storage tanks. Instead, using aerial photos and historic maps to reconstruct the building's history, we found that the contamination was located where loading docks and back doors used to be prior to building expansion. Before the Clean Water Act in 1977, it was accepted practice to dump used solvents on the ground - commonly through the nearest door. By now it's unlikely that any present employees remember dumping of waste, or would be comfortable discussing it if they did. But by sampling subslab soil gas in a grid over the entire building, and tying the analytical results to the building expansion history, we located an unsuspected source of VOCs and determined that it probably resulted from spillage or dumping prior to 1952. Better yet, the sample points were installed, sampled, and plugged each day at minimal cost and without interrupting plant operations. And when we're done locating sources, the soil-gas data will be useful for assessing vapor intrusion.

Vapor Pin Video

FINALLY! Sub-slab vapor sampling equipment that installs in minutes, eliminates the need for grout or other adhesives, and is easily retrieved for reuse.

See for yourself just how easy it is to install, use, and retrieve Cox-Colvin's patented Vapor Pin sub-slab vapor sampling device!

For more information on the Vapor Pin, click here.

Cox-Colvin Announces Commercial Release of the Vapor Pin™ - An Innovative Sub-slab Soil Gas Sampling Device

Cox-Colvin proudly announces the commercial release of the Vapor Pin, a patented, reusable sub-slab soil-gas sampling device that eliminates many of the frustrations associated with traditional sub-slab vapor sampling methods. Because of its ease and speed of installation, sample collection, extraction, and reuse, we believe the Vapor Pin will become the new standard for sub-slab soil gas sampling.
Click here for Vapor Pin Press Release.
Click here for more information on the Vapor Pin.

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.

Cox-Colvin Patents the Vapor Pin™, a Sub-Slab Soil Gas Sampling Device

On May 4, 2010, Cox-Colvin applied for and received a patent for the Vapor Pin™, a sub-slab sampling device that we believe will eliminate many of the headaches surrounding sub-slab soil gas sampling. The goal of the design effort was to come up with a sub-slab soil-gas collection device that would reduce the potential for leaks, be easily installed and retrieved using commonly obtainable tools, be reusable, reduce the time and cost of sub-slab sampling, and improve the quality of samples obtained from the sub-slab.

The Vapor Pin™ fits the bill. It's installed using common hand tools, doesn't require use of grout (thus saving another day in the field), and provides a single leak-proof connection between the sub-slab and the sampling device. We've also devised a leak detection method that we believe could become the standard for the industry.

We're refining the design at this time and plan to publish our results in the near future. If you'd like to receive more information on the Vapor Pin™, please drop us an email at info@coxcolvin.com. Please include Vapor Pin in the subject.