1.1.1 Incident Category

1.1.2 Site Description

EPA’s Removal Program is conducting sampling to further evaluate the potential for vapor intrusion (VI) at several residential properties located on Bonair Avenue in Hatboro, Montgomery County, PA.

VI is the term used to describe the migration of volatile chemicals from subsurface contaminated soils and groundwater into the indoor air spaces of overlying buildings through openings in the building foundation. Common sources of VI include petroleum products, dry cleaning solvents, and other industrial solvents and degreasers.

EPA is coordinating with the Borough of Hatboro, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

1.1.2.1 Location

 The Site is located in Hatboro, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

The residences were initially sampled as part of ongoing investigations by EPA’s Remedial Program at the nearby Raymark Superfund Site. Based on the results of the initial sampling of indoor air, ambient (outdoor air) and sub-slab vapor, further investigation was recommended.  Recent groundwater investigations conducted by EPA's Remedial Program suggest that the residences are not being impacted by contamination associated with the Raymark Superfund Site.  EPA’s Removal Program is conducting sampling to determine whether VI is occurring in the residences, and if so, whether any of the chemicals detected present a potential health risk to the residents. 

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

2.1.1 Narrative

Activities for reporting period beginning March 15, 2016 through April 11, 2016 included the following:  

On April 5, 2016, with the permission of the property owners, OSC Chase, a representative from EPA’s Environmental Response Team (ERT) and ERT’s Scientific, Engineering, Response & Analytical Services (SERAS) contractor personnel visited three residences to install new sampling ports for the upcoming sub-slab vapor sampling.  One home still had sub-slab ports that were installed during the previous sampling event.  The ports were checked and cleaned and were found to be in good condition.  EPA oversaw the installation of sub-slab sampling ports at the other two residences by SERAS personnel.       

On April 7, 2016, OSC Chase, EPA ERT and SERAS personnel returned to the residences to set up Summa canisters to collect 24-hour samples of sub-slab vapor, indoor air and ambient (outdoor) air.  Air monitoring was conducted to evaluate conditions at the time of the sampling and to identify any potential indoor sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  No elevated levels of VOCs were detected during the air monitoring of the residences.

On April 8, 2016, EPA ERT and SERAS personnel returned to pick up the Summa canisters.  The samples were later prepared for shipment to an approved laboratory for analysis.  

Activities for this reporting period (April 12, 2016 through August 2, 2016) included the following: 

The samples were analyzed by ALS Laboratory in Simi Valley, CA. 

EPA ERT SERAS contractor performed a Quality Assurance / Quality Control review of the laboratory data and prepared a final analytical report for EPA.

EPA reviewed the results of the April 2016 sampling and provided those results to ATSDR. 

EPA provided the final validated sampling results to the property owners.  

In summary, VOCs were found in the samples collected from the ambient (outdoor) air, indoor air and sub-slab vapor.  In general, the indoor air and sub-slab vapor results were lower than previously detected.  EPA did not identify VOCs at concentrations in indoor or ambient air that present a health concern to adult or children occupants of the residences sampled.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

EPA anticipates expanding sampling to nearby residences and businesses during the upcoming heating season to determine if VI is a concern.  

EPA plans to conduct additional investigation to attempt to locate the source of the VOCs

 2.2.2 Issues

3.1 Unified Command

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

Hatboro Borough 
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) /Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)