When a site involves volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soil or groundwater, those chemicals can volatilize and migrate into nearby buildings presenting a health hazard to those inside. Not only that, but most buildings also contain other sources of volatile contaminants that are related to ongoing operations or consumer products. Because the same chemicals can be present in the subsurface, in chemicals used on-site, and in other products, investigation and mitigation can become complicated.

Understand What to Ask about Vapor Intrusion, Find Answers

When a client faces this situation, they have many questions:

• What are the contaminants at my site, and how can I reliably measure them?
• Are these VOCs coming from indoors, outdoors, or underground?
• Are there health risks to the people who live or work in the building?
• Which regulatory standards apply, and am I in compliance?
• Will this impact business operations, and if so, for how long?
• How do I communicate with and reassure stakeholders?

Clients turn to Geosyntec to help them answer these questions and guide them successfully through the complex process of addressing vapor intrusion.

Rely on our Deep Experience with VOCs, Get Decisive Action

Many factors influence how VOCs enter and circulate in buildings―how they migrate underground, how the building was designed, and how atmospheric and seasonal conditions affect vapor movement. Because human health risk is the primary concern, it is critical to address vapor intrusion issues quickly and correctly and some of these issues are complex: you will need experts.

Our experts around the world rapidly evaluate sites and help clients understand the vapor intrusion risk. We design and install mitigation systems that minimize or eliminate interruptions to operations.

We mitigate vapor intrusion at all types of sites:

• Active and historical industrial buildings
• Former oil refineries and power plants
• Commercial buildings, including dry cleaners
• Military facilities
• Schools and other public buildings
• New construction on brownfield sites

During real estate transactions, buyers or sellers rely on us to assess, plan, assign value to, and manage vapor intrusion issues quickly. We use specialized tools and methods ideal for fast-paced transactions and complex sites.

Apply Innovative Technologies, Find Practical Solutions

Geosyntec's vapor intrusion practitioners research, teach, author journal articles, and shape regulatory guidance, and then, we apply this work to our clients’ problems. In fact, our people have shaped the industry over the past three decades, developing the Johnson and Ettinger model, writing state and federal guidance and ASTM International standards, and authoring hundreds of papers and presentations.

Our research has led to innovations in the following areas:

• Passive quantitative samplers
• Mass flux evaluation tools
• Advanced mitigation techniques
• High-volume soil gas sampling
• Influence of seasonal variability
• Building pressure control
• Forensics to sort vapor intrusion from other sources of VOCs
• Influence of preferential pathways
• Passive mitigation systems

We develop and apply innovative tools to find efficient and effective ways to resolve complicated vapor intrusion issues. Because we have more vapor intrusion experts than any other consulting firm and because they work throughout the United States, in Canada, and across the globe, we can find the right team for your job and can easily handle accelerated schedules.