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The Indoor Air Vapor Intrusion (IAVI) Database aims to compile high-quality empirical observations to support the establishment of VI screening criteria that are appropriately protective. It compares attenuation factors based on indoor air measurements, identifies significant influencing factors for subsurface-to-indoor vapor attenuation, and facilitates data collection and transfer to regulators and researchers. Our pilot database tested design elements, revealing preliminary insights regarding vapor attenuation of various compounds. Ongoing analysis aims to enhance data collection efficiency and expand to other stakeholders.
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Indoor Air Vapor Intrusion Database Robert S. Truesdale Environment, Health, and Safety Division Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
IAVI Database Purpose • Compile empirical observations collected from high-quality investigations across the nation to help ensure that draft VI screening criteria are not overly or under-protective • Compare and contrast attenuation factors based on indoor air measurements paired with groundwater, soil gas, or subslab measurements • Identify factors and conditions that significantly influence subsurface to indoor air vapor attenuation (including precluding factors)
Design Requirements • Strict controls on additions/changes/modifications • Expandable and maintainable for the long-term • Easy transfer to other database programs • Efficient/effective data collection instrument(s)
Design Requirements (cont.) • Cost-effective data transfer to regulators and researchers • Clear, effective data summaries • Contain information to evaluate data quality, representativeness, and completeness • Can contain all data needed to apply VI guidance at subject sites
Design Process • Dr. Helen Dawson’s Region 8 VI database provided key data elements and base data • 2-day meeting in Region 8 with EPA researchers, EPA regulators, State regulators to establish content, data quality objectives, preliminary specifications • Analysis of EPA data standards for database design elements and structure (OSWER DED, STORET EDD, Region 2 MEDD) • New elements and tables added for VI-specific data • Draft database design reviewed by EPA/State team, selected experts • “Final” IAVI database design
Data Collection Instrument • IAVIdb website (http://iavi.rti.org) • Downloadable Microsoft Access database • Data entry forms to capture key information: • Data provider • Site conditions • Building characteristics • Attenuation factors • Media concentrations (indoor air, ambient air, groundwater, soil gas)
Pilot Database • Initial data collection effort to test database design, data collection instrument, collect preliminary data • Data transferred from existing Region 8 VI database • Two-month collection effort: 6 respondents, 7 sites, and 42 buildings (21 residential, 8 commercial, 13 other)
Pilot Database (cont.) • Site types: 4 chlorinated solvent sites, 2 petroleum sites, 1 landfill • Attenuation factors: groundwater (13), soil gas (15), and subslab (98) • Data received in a variety of formats (forms, other electronic, hardcopy) – manual entry required in many cases • Most data received just prior to contract end, precluding significant data analysis
Conclusions – Pilot IAVI Database • Database design is suitable for intended purpose • Data entry forms designed for easy entry – pilot comments and experience suggest further improvements • Respondents are busy – data collection needs to allow for form entries, electronic submittals, and hard copy submittals (as a last resort)
Conclusions (cont.) • Analysis is ongoing, but preliminary data received suggest that: • the current guidance appears protective • certain petroleum compounds may attenuate to a greater degree than chlorinated hydrocarbons • Indoor contaminant sources can confound indoor air results
Next Steps • Existing data: • confirm data with respondents • document data quality information • review data / select valid attenuation factors • identify precluding factors • summarize results • Improve data entry forms (address expert comments, add user help features) • Develop specifications for electronic data submittals
Next Steps (cont.) • Develop easy-to-use summary and more detailed data outputs for regulators, researchers, other stakeholders • Solicit additional data from EPA regulators and researchers • Consider ICR to expand data collection effort to other states and private parties
For database, documentation, this presentation, go to: http://iavi.rti.org Please Visit!