Vapor intrusion

Now Available: Vapor Mitigation System Inspection Log Form

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

Information gathered during inspections of vapor mitigation systems can now be submitted online through a new web-based form.  

Use the updated Vapor Mitigation System Inspection Log (Form 4400-321) to conduct annual inspections of vapor mitigation systems. Information is automatically saved, and changes can be made before the form is submitted to the DNR. In addition, related photographs can be uploaded directly to the form. 

New users must create a login to access the web-based form.  

Contact the DNR with questions regarding vapor intrusion. Go to “dnr.wi.gov” and search “RR Program Staff.” Click on “Vapor Intrusion Contacts.” Contact DNRRRVAPOR@wisconsin.gov with issues related to the forms. 

Request for Qualifications: Vapor Intrusion Zone Contract

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) to identify up to four qualified environmental consultants to provide professional services to investigate and mitigate vapor intrusion at sites in Wisconsin. This work will be conducted on an as-needed basis under a Vapor Intrusion Zone Contract. 

Selected consultants will be offered a 3-year professional services contract, with the option for two 1-year extensions (5 years total). 

Interested parties should submit an SOQ by Aug. 1, 2025.  

Copies of the Request for Qualifications are available on the RR Program Public Notices webpage. 

Public Input Opportunity – Publication: Vapor Intrusion Guidance (RR-800)

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is now seeking input on the publication Vapor Intrusion Guidance (RR-800). 

This publication provides guidance for persons who investigate, remediate and mitigate contaminated sites under Wisconsin Statute (Wis. Stat.) ch. 292 and Wisconsin Administrative (Wis. Admin.) Code chs. NR 700 – 799. The guidance applies to sites where contaminated vapor has, or has the potential, to migrate to any current or future buildings. 

The document can be found at the RR Program’s Public Notices & Guidance webpage under the “Program Guidance” tab. Comments may be submitted through July 27, 2025, to Jennifer Borski at Jennifer.Borski@wisconsin.gov or DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov. 

Now Available: Updated Publication Wisconsin Vapor Quick Look-Up Table Indoor Air Vapor Action Levels And Vapor Risk Screening Levels (RR-0136)

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The publication Guidance: Wisconsin Vapor Quick Look-Up Table Indoor Air Vapor Action Levels and Vapor Risk Screening Levels (RR-0136) is now updated and available on the DNR website. The U.S. EPA updated toxicity information for 1,1-dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE) in November 2024 by changing from U.S. EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) chronic inhalation reference concentration (RfC) to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) RfC for this chemical. The update decreased the VALs and VRSLs for 1,1-DCE.    

The purpose of this look-up table is to list volatile organic compounds frequently encountered at cleanup sites in Wisconsin. Consultants should compare vapor data for open sites to the updated table for potential additional actions. Vapor data for chemicals not listed on RR-0136 should accessed via the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Vapor Intrusion Screening Level (VISL) Calculator; instructions on using VISL are included in RR-0136.    

Additional documents and guidance from the Remediation and Redevelopment Program may be found using the search tools available on the publications and forms webpage. 

Questions regarding this document may be submitted to Jennifer Borski at Jennifer.Borski@wisconsin.gov.  

 

ITRC Comprehensive Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Training Feb. 27 and March 11

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) will offer online vapor intrusion training over two sessions on Feb. 27 and March 11, 2025.  

The training series provides an overview of vapor intrusion mitigation and shares information on using the ITRC’s Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Interactive Directory. The interactive directory includes fact sheets, technology information sheets and checklists. Staff members from the DNR participated in the development of the technical resources and the training.  

The training is a series of eight modules covering the topics listed below and will be presented over two, two-hour sessions: 

Session 1 – Feb. 27, 2025 (noon to 2 p.m. CST)
Topics include: 

  • Introduction and overview of vapor intrusion mitigation training team 
  • Conceptual site models for vapor intrusion mitigation 
  • Public outreach during vapor intrusion mitigation 
  • Rapid response and ventilation for vapor intrusion mitigation 
  • Remediation and institutional controls 

Session 2 – March 11, 2025 (noon to 2 p.m. CST)
Topics include: 

  • Active mitigation approaches 
  • Passive mitigation approaches 
  • System verification, operations, maintenance and monitoring, (OM&M) and exit strategies 

Environmental professionals are encouraged to register at the CLU-IN Vapor Intrusion Mitigation webpage. The training is also available on-demand at the CLU-IN Vapor Intrusion Mitigation archive. 

While the documents are designed to assist state regulators, they also serve to raise awareness with environmental consultants and other industry professionals. 

Site-specific questions regarding vapor intrusion in Wisconsin should be directed to the assigned DNR Project Manager. General vapor intrusion questions can be directed to the appropriate contact listed at RR Program Staff Contacts. 

DNR To Hold RR External Advisory Group Vapor Intrusion Subgroup Meeting

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a meeting of the Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group’s (RR EAG) Vapor Intrusion Subgroup on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. 

The RR EAG was formed to address a broad range of issues, encompassing both technical and policy topics related to encouraging the investigation, cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites in Wisconsin.

The RR EAG identifies issues and topics of interest that may be addressed by subgroups. Subgroup members are expected to research and develop recommendations on the selected topics for presentation to the full group. RR EAG subgroup meetings are open to the public. Interested individuals may attend in-person or register to attend by zoom.

Location:
State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Room G09
101 S Webster St.
Madison, WI

When:
2 – 3:30 p.m. – Zoom attendance registration.

In-person attendees should RSVP to Coreen Fallat by noon on Feb. 10, 2025, at CoreenR.Fallat@wisconsin.gov. Please check in at the security desk before taking the elevator.

Visit the DNR’s RR EAG webpage for the meeting agenda, materials and additional information. Subscribe for updates on future RR EAG meetings.

Issues And Trends Webinar: Investigation Of Vapor Intrusion Along The Utility Conduit Pathway

Posted on by Coreen Fallat
Issues and Trends Banner

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program’s next webinar in the Issues & Trends series will take place on Nov. 7, 2024.

Understanding vapor intrusion pathways at contaminated sites is an important aspect of protecting human health when investigating discharges to the environment that include volatile compounds. The steps to investigate the utility conduit pathway of vapor intrusion, which may include sanitary and storm sewers, sumps and building plumbing, is the topic of an upcoming webinar presented by the DNR.

Investigation of Vapor Intrusion along the Utility Conduit Pathway
Nov. 7, 2024
10 – 11:30 a.m.
Register to attend by Zoom.

The webinar will cover important information about vapor intrusion along the conduit pathway. Presenters will summarize the results of a multi-year effort to collect several hundred samples within conduits at approximately 70 sites in Wisconsin. Attendees will learn some of the basic concepts of how contaminant vapors enter and travel through utility conduits, eventually reaching indoor air. The webinar will review options to sample for vapor intrusion including a discussion of the DNR’s approach to conduit sampling during state-funded investigations.

The webinar is part of the RR Program’s Issues & Trends series. This series offers webinars that provide program and rulemaking updates and information on issues related to environmental contamination and cleanup. Past “Issues & Trends” are available to view by visiting our RR Presentations & Training Library.

VMS Active Notification Information Now Available

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

New information focused on use of active notifications including using telemetry systems when monitoring an active vapor mitigation system (VMS) is now available on the vapor intrusion resources for environmental professionals webpage.

Monitoring of an active VMS is important to ensure that the system continues to work as designed. Active notifications (continuous monitoring) may include audible alarms, visual indicators and telemetry.

The webpage is a resource for environmental professionals and provides considerations for selecting the type of systems to install including land use, the type of health risk and the contaminant of concern.

View a recorded presentation for more information about active notifications and telemetry systems; Issues & Trends: Vapor Intrusion Updates 2023 (wisconsin.gov). Information specific to active notification is on slides 12 through 21.

Now Available: Publication Wisconsin Vapor Quick Look-Up Table Indoor Air Vapor Action Levels And Vapor Risk Screening Levels (RR-0136)

Posted on by Coreen Fallat

The publication Guidance: Wisconsin Vapor Quick Look-Up Table Indoor Air Vapor Action Levels and Vapor Risk Screening Levels (RR-0136) is now updated and available on the DNR website. There were no changes to the Vapor Action Levels (VALs) or Vapor Risk Screening Levels (VRSLs) for the compounds listed. 

Additional documents and guidance from the Remediation and Redevelopment Program may be found using the search tools available on the publications and forms webpage. 

The purpose of the guidance is to list volatile organic compounds frequently encountered at cleanup sites in Wisconsin. Consultants should compare vapor data for open sites to the updated table for potential additional actions. Vapor data for chemicals not listed on RR-0136 should accessed via the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Vapor Intrusion Screening Level (VISL) Calculator; instructions on using VISL are included in RR-0136.   

Questions regarding this document may be submitted to Jennifer Borski at Jennifer.Borski@wisconsin.gov.

ITRC Comprehensive Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Training March 14 and 28

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

The Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) will offer online vapor intrusion training over two sessions on March 14 and March 28, 2024.

Environmental professionals are encouraged to register at the CLU-IN Vapor Intrusion Mitigation webpage. While the documents are designed to assist state regulators, they also raise awareness with environmental consultants and other industry professionals.

The Vapor Intrusion Mitigation training series provides an overview of vapor intrusion mitigation and presents information on how to utilize the ITRC’s Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Interactive Directory. The interactive directory includes fact sheets, technology information sheets and checklists. DNR staff participated in the development of both the technical resources and training.

The training consists of a series of eight modules on the topics listed below and will be presented over two, two-hour sessions:

Session 1 – March 14, 2024, noon to 2 p.m.
Topics Include:

  • Introduction and overview of vapor intrusion mitigation training team
  • Conceptual site models for vapor intrusion mitigation
  • Public outreach during vapor intrusion mitigation
  • Rapid response and ventilation for vapor intrusion mitigation
  • Remediation and institutional controls

Session 2 – March 28, 2024, noon to 2 p.m.
Topics Include:

  • Active mitigation approaches
  • Passive mitigation approaches
  • System verification, OM&M and exit strategies

Site-specific questions regarding vapor intrusion in Wisconsin should be directed to the assigned DNR Project Manager. General vapor intrusion questions can be directed to the contacts listed on the DNR’s Vapor Intrusion Resources for Environmental Professionals webpage.