From Sample Collection to Public Protection: Investigation and Remediation at Vapor Intrusion Sites

There are over a thousand sites with known environmental contamination in the San Francisco Bay Area, many with vapor-forming chemicals, such as solvents. These volatile chemicals often migrate from the subsurface into nearby buildings, where they can pose risks to occupants. In this talk, I will present an overview of the vapor intrusion pathway, how sites are investigated, and how risks are addressed. Drawing on local sites as examples, I will discuss conceptual site model development, remedies, and the tensions that often develop when making decisions with incomplete information.

Speaker: Karina Navarro, California Department of Toxic Substances Control