Vapor Intrusion Testing Services

Long Island City, NY, July 2, 2024

A proposed plan to protect people living and working in residential and commercial buildings at the Meeker Avenue Plume Superfund Site in the Greenpoint/East Williamsburg area of Brooklyn was recently announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

A plan is needed because the agency reports that groundwater and soil in the area are contaminated with chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs). These chemicals can vaporize and seep into buildings through their foundations in a process known as vapor intrusion.

According to the EPA announcement:

The Meeker Avenue Plume Superfund Site covers over 190 acres across several city blocks in the Greenpoint/East Williamsburg area of Brooklyn. The soil, soil gas and groundwater at the site are contaminated with CVOCs, including toxic tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE), which are classified by EPA as likely to cause cancer. This part of Brooklyn included historical petroleum refining and storage operations along the banks of Newtown Creek.

“A number of buildings in the area have been tested by EPA or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for vapor intrusion issues,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “EPA proposes installing special systems, called sub-slab depressurization systems, where needed. They agency also revealed that their proposal reflects the mitigation of up to 100 structures within the Meeker Ave site study area over the next 5 years.”

To identify vapor intrusion concerns like these, EMSL Analytical offers comprehensive laboratory testing services and sampling supplies from multiple facilities located in New York, New Jersey and across the region. They even sponsored an educational video about vapor intrusion and indoor air quality just last year that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/kkxtq1TfbnQ

To learn more about vapor intrusion and indoor air quality testing services and sampling resources, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.