Evaluation of Vapor Intrusion Risk from Ethylene Dibromide Using the Vertical Screening Distance Approach

Vapor intrusion (VI) occurs when volatile contaminants in the subsurface migrate through the vadose zone into overlying buildings. The 2015 U.S. EPA petroleum VI guidance recommends that additional investigation of the VI risk from gasoline hydrocarbons at the underground storage tank (UST) sites is not necessary where the vertical distance between a building and a vapor source exceeds a recommended vertical screening distance. However, due to the lack of soil-gas data on the attenuation of ethylene dibromide (EDB), additional VI investigations to evaluate VI risk from EDB are recommended at UST sites with leaded gasoline releases containing EDB. We analyzed soil-gas and groundwater concentrations of EDB from eight petroleum UST sites using a new analytical method with soil-gas detection limit <0.16 μg/m³ EDB (VI screening level at the 10⁻⁶ risk level). The analysis included (1) assessing the frequency of EDB detections ≤0.16 μg/m³ at various vertical separation distances and (2) predicting vertical screening distances for EDB using the U.S. EPA PVIScreen model for different soil types in the vadose zone above dissolved-phase and LNAPL sources. Ranges of estimated aerobic biodegradation rate constants for EDB, air exchange rates for residential buildings, and source vapor concentrations for other constituents were combined with conservative estimates of EDB source concentrations as model inputs. Concentrations of EDB in soil-gas indicated that the U.S. EPA recommended vertical screening distances are protective of VI risk from EDB. Conversely, vertical screening distances predicted by modeling were >6 ft (1.8 m) for sites with sand and loam soil above dissolved phase sources and >15 ft (4.6 m) for sites with sand soil above LNAPL sources. This predicted dependence on the vapor source type and soil type in the vadose zone highlights the importance of soil characterization for VI screening at sites with EDB sources.     

Vertical Screening Distance Criteria to Evaluate Vapor Intrusion Risk from 1,2-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCA)

Vapor intrusion (VI) involves migration of volatile contaminants from subsurface through unsaturated soil into overlying buildings. In 2015, the US EPA recommended an approach for screening VI risks associated with gasoline releases from underground storage tank (UST) sites. Additional assessment of the VI risk from petroleum hydrocarbons was deemed unnecessary for buildings separated from vapor sources by more than recommended vertical screening distances. However, these vertical screening distances did not apply to potential VI risks associated with releases of former leaded gasoline containing 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA), because of a lack of empirical data on the attenuation of 1,2-DCA in soil gas. This study empirically evaluated 144 paired measurements of 1,2-DCA concentrations in soil gas and groundwater collected at 47 petroleum UST sites combined with BioVapor modeling. This included (1) assessing the frequency of 1,2-DCA detections in soil gas below 10⁻⁶ risk-based screening levels at different vertical separation distances and (2) comparing the US EPA recommended vertical screening distances with those predicted by BioVapor modeling. Vertical screening distances were predicted for different soil types using aerobic biodegradation rate constants estimated from the measured soil-gas data combined with conservative estimates of source concentrations. The modeling indicates that the vertical screening distance of 6 feet (1.8 m) recommended for dissolved-phase sources is applicable for 1,2-DCA below certain threshold concentrations in groundwater, while 15 feet (4.6 m) recommended for light nonaqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) sources is applicable for sites with clay and loam soils in the vadose zone, but not sand, if 1,2-DCA concentrations in groundwater exceed 150 μg/L. This dependence of the predicted vertical screening distances on soil type places added emphasis on proper soil characterization for VI screening at sites with 1,2-DCA sources. The soil-gas data suggests that a vertical screening distance of 15 feet (4.6 m) is necessary for both dissolved-phase and LNAPL sources.     

Field Study of Soil Vapor Extraction for Reducing Off-Site Vapor Intrusion

Soil vapor extraction (SVE) is effective for removing volatile organic compound (VOC) mass from the vadose zone and reducing the potential for vapor intrusion (VI) into overlying and surrounding buildings. However, the relationship between residual mass in the subsurface and VI is complex. Through a series of alternating extraction (SVE on) and rebound (SVE off) periods, this field study explored the relationship and aspects of SVE applicable to VI mitigation in a commercial/light-industrial setting. The primary objective was to determine if SVE could provide VI mitigation over a wide area encompassing multiple buildings, city streets, and subsurface utilities and eliminate the need for individual subslab depressurization systems. We determined that SVE effectively mitigates offsite VI by intercepting or diluting contaminant vapors that would otherwise enter buildings through foundation slabs. Data indicate a measurable (5 Pa) influence of SVE on subslab/indoor pressure differential may occur but is not essential for effective VI mitigation. Indoor air quality improvements were evident in buildings 100 to 200 feet away from SVE including those without a measurable reversal of differential pressure across the slab or substantial reductions in subslab VOC concentration. These cases also demonstrated mitigation effects across a four-lane avenue with subsurface utilities. These findings suggest that SVE affects distant VI entry points with little observable impact on differential pressures and without relying on subslab VOC concentration reductions.     

Vapor Intrusion Screening at Petroleum UST Sites

Detailed site investigations to assess potential inhalation exposure and risk to human health associated with the migration of petroleum hydrocarbon vapors from the subsurface to indoor air are frequently undertaken at leaking underground storage tank (UST) sites, yet documented occurrences of petroleum vapor intrusion are extremely rare. Additional assessments are largely driven by low screening‐level concentrations derived from vapor transport modeling that does not consider biodegradation. To address this issue, screening criteria were developed from soil‐gas measurements at hundreds of petroleum UST sites spanning a range of environmental conditions, geographic regions, and a 16‐year time period (1995 to 2011). The data were evaluated to define vertical separation (screening) distances from the source, beyond which, the potential for vapor intrusion can be considered negligible. The screening distances were derived explicitly from benzene data using specified soil‐gas screening levels of 30, 50, and 100 µg/m³ and nonparametric Kaplan‐Meier statistics. Results indicate that more than 95% of benzene concentrations in soil gas are ≤30 µg/m³ at any distance above a dissolved‐phase hydrocarbon source. Dissolved‐phase petroleum hydrocarbon sources are therefore unlikely to pose a risk for vapor intrusion unless groundwater (including capillary fringe) comes in contact with a building foundation. For light nonaqueous‐phase liquid (LNAPL) hydrocarbon sources, more than 95% of benzene concentrations in soil gas are ≤30 µg/m³ for vertical screening distances of 13 ft (4 m) or greater. The screening distances derived from this analysis are markedly different from 30 to 100 ft (10 to 30 m) vertical distances commonly found cited in regulatory guidance, even with specific allowances to account for uncertainty in the hydrocarbon source depth or location. Consideration of these screening distances in vapor intrusion guidance would help eliminate unnecessary site characterization at petroleum UST sites and allow more effective and sustainable use of limited resources.     

Improving Risk-Based Screening at Vapor Intrusion Sites in California

The attenuation factor (AF) of 0.03 recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is increasingly being used by regulatory agencies for the development of subsurface vapor screening levels for vapor intrusion (VI). There are concerns, however, over the database used to derive the AF and the AF's applicability to building types and geographies not included in USEPA database. To derive a more technically defensible AF for subsurface vapor screening in California, a database consisting of 8415 paired indoor and subsurface vapor samples collected from 485 buildings at 36 sites in California was compiled. Filtering was applied to remove data of suspect quality that were potentially affected by background (non-VI) sources. Filtering reduced the size of the database to 788 indoor air and subsurface vapor pairs, 80% of which were trichloroethylene (TCE) measurements. An AF of 0.0008 was derived from only TCE vapor data, based on the ability of the AF to reliably identify buildings with indoor air concentrations above screening levels in 95% of cases where subsurface vapor screening levels were exceeded. The AF derived from this study demonstrated limited sensitivity to the variables typically considered important in VI characterization, which was partially attributed to relatively weak correlation of indoor air and subsurface vapor concentration data. The results of this study can be used to improve VI screening in California and other states and help focus limited resources on sites posing the greatest potential risk.     

Examining the Use of USEPA's Generic Attenuation Factor in Determining Groundwater Screening Levels for Vapor Intrusion

A value of 0.001 is recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for its groundwater‐to‐indoor air Generic Attenuation Factor (GAFG), used in assessing potential vapor intrusion (VI) impacts to indoor air, given measured groundwater concentrations of volatile chemicals of concern (e.g., chlorinated solvents). The GAFG can, in turn, be used for developing groundwater screening levels for VI given target indoor air quality screening levels. In this study, we examine the validity and applicability of the GAFG both for predicting indoor air impacts and for determining groundwater screening levels. This is done using both analysis of published data and screening model calculations. Among the 774 total paired groundwater‐indoor air measurements in the USEPA's VI database (which were used by that agency to generate the GAFG) we found that there are 427 pairs for which a single groundwater measurement or interpolated value was applied to multiple buildings. In one case, up to 73 buildings were associated with a single interpolated groundwater value and in another case up to 15 buildings were associated with a single groundwater measurement (i.e., that the indoor air contaminant concentrations in all of the associated buildings were influenced by the concentration determined at a single point). In more than 70% of the cases (390 of 536 paired measurements in which horizontal building‐monitoring well distance was recorded) the monitoring wells were located more than 30 m (and one up to over 200 m) from the associated buildings. In a few cases, the measurements in the database even improbably implied that soil gas contaminant concentrations increased, rather than decreased, in an upward direction from a contaminant source to a foundation slab. Such observations indicate problematic source characterization within the data set used to generate the GAFG, and some indicate the possibility of a significant influence of a preferential contaminant pathway. While the inherent value of the USEPA database itself is not being questioned here, the above facts raise the very real possibility that the recommended groundwater attenuation factors are being influenced by variables or conditions that have not thus far been fully accounted for. In addition, the predicted groundwater attenuation factors often fall far beyond the upper limits of predictions from mathematical models of VI, ranging from screening models to detailed computational fluid dynamic models. All these models are based on the same fundamental conceptual site model, involving a vadose zone vapor transport pathway starting at an underlying uniform groundwater source and leading to the foundation of a building of concern. According to the analysis presented here, we believe that for scenarios for which such a “traditional” VI pathway is appropriate, 10^?4 is a more appropriately conservative generic groundwater to indoor air attenuation factor than is the EPA‐recommended 10^?3. This is based both on the statistical analysis of USEPA's VI database, as well as the traditional mathematical models of VI. This result has been validated by comparison with results from some well‐documented field studies.     

Estimation of Generic Subslab Attenuation Factors for Vapor Intrusion Investigations

Generic indoor air:subslab soil gas attenuation factors (SSAFs) are important for rapid screening of potential vapor intrusion risks in buildings that overlie soil and groundwater contaminated with volatile chemicals. Insufficiently conservative SSAFs can allow high‐risk sites to be prematurely excluded from further investigation. Excessively conservative SSAFs can lead to costly, time‐consuming, and often inconclusive actions at an inordinate number of low‐risk sites. This paper reviews two of the most commonly used approaches to develop SSAFs: (1) comparison of paired, indoor air and subslab soil gas data in empirical databases and (2) comparison of estimated subslab vapor entry rates and indoor air exchange rates (IAERs). Potential error associated with databases includes interference from indoor and outdoor sources, reliance on data from basements, and seasonal variability. Heterogeneity in subsurface vapor plumes combined with uncertainty regarding vapor entry points calls into question the representativeness of limited subslab data and diminishes the technical defensibility of SSAFs extracted from databases. The use of reasonably conservative vapor entry rates and IAERs offers a more technically defensible approach for the development of generic SSAF values for screening. Consideration of seasonal variability in building leakage rates, air exchange rates, and interpolated vapor entry rates allows for the development of generic SSAFs at both local and regional scales. Limitations include applicability of the default IAERs and vapor entry rates to site‐specific vapor intrusion investigations and uncertainty regarding applicability of generic SSAFs to assess potential short‐term (e.g., intraday) variability of impacts to indoor air.     

Development of a Default Vapor Intrusion Attenuation Factor for Industrial Buildings

An investigation at a major industrial facility in the Midwestern United States provides insights regarding the amount of attenuation of sub-surface vapors occurring at industrial buildings. The buildings at the facility were ranked in terms of vapor intrusion potential and testing began in October 2016 and is ongoing. Results have been evaluated for data collected at 718 unique locations across 77 buildings. A total of 1646 sample pairs (sub-slab and indoor air) have been collected and analyzed for 65 analytes, resulting in a total of 106,990 data pairs. As many as 49 sample pairs were collected within a given building during a single sampling event and up to 11 rounds of seasonal testing have been performed at selected buildings. Seasonal variability in sub-slab soil-gas concentrations was found to be negligible. Data analysis was performed to look for data trends across the entire data set and identify inter-building comparisons. This data evaluation focused on individual volatile organic compounds (e.g., tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene) present in the sub-slab soil gas at concentrations exceeding 1000 μg/m³. A total of 157 building-specific attenuation coefficients (α) were evaluated. This evaluation demonstrated that large industrial buildings have a much greater attenuation than that assumed for single-family residential buildings. All attenuation coefficient values were lower than 0.03, which is the standard regulatory default for non-residential buildings. The median value was 9.3E-05 and the 95% upper confidence limit was 2.7E-04. There is some evidence of lower attenuation under wintertime conditions. The data suggests that the default attenuation factor of 0.03 over-predicts indoor air impacts at this industrial facility by at least two orders of magnitude.     

Simulated Soil Vapor Intrusion Attenuation Factors Including Biodegradation for Petroleum Hydrocarbons

Aerobic biodegradation can contribute significantly to the attenuation of petroleum hydrocarbons vapors in the unsaturated zone; however, most regulatory guidance for assessing potential human health risks via vapor intrusion to indoor air either neglect biodegradation in developing generic screening levels or allow for only one order of magnitude additional attenuation for aerobically degradable compounds, which may be overly conservative in some cases. This paper describes results from three-dimensional numerical model simulations of vapor intrusion for petroleum hydrocarbons to assess the influence of aerobic biodegradation on the attenuation factor for a variety of source concentrations and depths for residential buildings with basements and slab-on-grade construction. The simulations conducted in this study provide a framework for understanding the degree to which bioattenuation will occur under a variety of scenarios and provide insight into site conditions that will result in significant biodegradation. This improved understanding may be used to improve the conceptual model of contaminant transport, guide field data collection and interpretation, and estimate semi-site-specific attenuation factors for combinations of source concentrations, source depth, oxygen distribution, and building characteristics where site conditions reasonably match the scenarios simulated herein.     

Utility of Compound‐Specific Isotope Analysis for Vapor Intrusion Investigations

Different types of data can be collected to evaluate whether or not vapor intrusion is a concern at sites impacted with volatile organic compound (VOC) contamination in the subsurface. Typically, groundwater, soil gas, or indoor air samples are collected to determine VOC concentrations in the different media. Sample results are evaluated using a “multiple lines of evidence” approach to interpret whether vapor intrusion is occurring. Data interpretation is often not straightforward because of many complicating factors, particularly in the evaluation of indoor air. More often than not, indoor air sample results are affected by indoor or other background sources making interpretation of concentration‐based data difficult using conventional sampling approaches. In this study, we explored the practicality of compound‐specific isotope analysis (CSIA) as an additional type of evidence to distinguish between indoor sources and subsurface sources (i.e., vapor intrusion). We developed a guide for decision‐making to facilitate data interpretation and applied the guidelines at four different test buildings. To evaluate the effectiveness of the CSIA method for vapor intrusion applications, we compared the interpretation from CSIA to interpretations based on data from two different investigation approaches: conventional sampling and on‐site GC/MS analysis. Interpretations using CSIA were found to be generally consistent with the other approaches. In one case, CSIA provided the strongest line of evidence that vapor intrusion was not occurring and that a VOC source located inside the building was the source of VOCs in indoor air.     

Simulation of the Vapor Intrusion Process for Nonhomogeneous Soils Using a Three-Dimensional Numerical Model

This paper presents model simulation results of vapor intrusion into structures built atop sites contaminated with volatile or semivolatile chemicals of concern. A three-dimensional finite element model was used to investigate the importance of factors that could influence vapor intrusion when the site is characterized by nonhomogeneous soils. Model simulations were performed to examine how soil layers of differing properties alter soil-gas concentration profiles and vapor intrusion rates into structures. The results illustrate difference in soil-gas concentration profiles and vapor intrusion rates between homogeneous and layered soils. The findings support the need for site conceptual models to adequately represent a site's geology when conducting site characterizations, interpreting field data, and assessing the risk of vapor intrusion at a given site. For instance, in layered geologies, a lower permeability and diffusivity soil layer between the source and building often limits vapor intrusion rates, even if a higher permeability layer near the foundation permits increased soil-gas flow rates into the building. In addition, the presence of water-saturated clay layers can considerably influence soil-gas concentration profiles. Therefore, interpreting field data without accounting for clay layers in the site conceptual model could result in inaccurate risk calculations. Important considerations for developing more accurate conceptual site models are discussed in light of the findings.     

Extinguishing Petroleum Vapor Intrusion and Methane Risks for Slab-on-ground Buildings: A Simple Guide

The occurrence of aerobic biodegradation in the vadose zone between a subsurface source and a building foundation can all-but eliminate the risks from methane and petroleum vapor intrusion (PVI). Understanding oxygen availability and the factors that affect it (e.g., building sizes and their distribution) are therefore critical. Uncovered ground surfaces allow oxygen access to the subsurface to actively biodegrade hydrocarbons (inclusive of methane). Buildings can reduce the net flux of oxygen into the subsurface and so reduce degradation rates. Here we determine when PVI and methane risk is negligible and/or extinguished; defined by when oxygen is present across the entire sub-slab region of existing or planned slab-on-ground buildings. We consider all building slab sizes, all depths to vapor sources and the effect of spacings between buildings on the availability of oxygen in the subsurface. The latter becomes critical where buildings are in close proximity or when increased building density is planned. Conservative assumptions enable simple, rapid and confident screening should sites and building designs comply to model assumptions. We do not model the aboveground “building” processes (e.g., air exchange), and assume the slab-on-ground seals the ground surface so that biodegradation of hydrocarbons is minimized under the built structure (i.e., the assessment remains conservative). Two graphs represent the entirety of the outcomes that allow simple screening of hydrocarbon vapors based only on the depth to the source of vapors below ground, the concentration of vapors within the source, the width of the slab-on-ground building, and the gap between buildings; all independent of soil type. Rectangular, square, and circular buildings are considered. Comparison with field sites and example applications are provided, along with a simple 8-step screening guide set in the context of existing guidance on PVI assessment.     

Simplified Approach for Calculating Building-Specific Attenuation Factors and Vapor Intrusion Mitigation System Flux-Based Radius of Influence

This article describes a simplified method to calculate a building-specific subslab to indoor air attenuation factor using data collected during pressure-field extension testing similar to industry standards for radon mitigation. It also describes a simplified method to calculate the radius of influence for a conventional suction point using a mass flux-balance model. The analysis is based on three simple measurements: (1) the extraction flow rate, (2) cross-slab applied vacuum at a radial distance of 3 feet, and (3) cross-slab applied vacuum at a radial distance of 10 feet. The intent is to provide a practitioner with a rapid and useful screening-level assessment of whether the benefits of reduced mitigation system costs warrant an investment in a more detailed mathematical analysis of the flow and vacuum data. In addition, this may also help a practitioner to make real-time decisions regarding placement of communication test points during pressure-field extension testing.     

Field Trapping of Subsurface Vapor Phase Petroleum Hydrocarbons

Soil gas samples from intact soil cores were collected on adsorbents at a field site, then thermally desorbed and analyzed by laboratory gas chromatography (GC). Vertical concentration profiles of predominant vapor phase petroleum hydrocarbons under ambient conditions were obtained for the zone directly above the capillary fringe. Water and residual phase weathered aviation gasoline were present in this region of the profile.
The sampling, trapping, and GC methodology was effective in most respects. Reproducibility, trapping, and desorption efficiency were generally satisfactory, and different sorbent tubes gave similar results. A minor shortcoming of the method occurred with the most volatile compound, 2,3-dimcthylbutane, which was poorly retained during several weeks of storage lime and was also poorly desorbed.
Vapor phase concentrations of predominant hydrocarbon compounds all increased with depth at one sampling location. At a more highly contaminated location, concentrations of highly volatile compounds increased with depth while concentrations of less volatile compounds remained constant or decreased, possibly indicating distillation effects. Scatier in the data was attributed to heterogeneities in water and residual phase distribution.     

Application of an Analytical Solution as a Screening Tool for Sea Water Intrusion

Sea water intrusion into aquifers is problematic in many coastal areas. The physics and chemistry of this issue are complex, and sea water intrusion remains challenging to quantify. Simple assessment tools like analytical models offer advantages of rapid application, but their applicability to field situations is unclear. This study examines the reliability of a popular sharp‐interface analytical approach for estimating the extent of sea water in a homogeneous coastal aquifer subjected to pumping and regional flow effects and under steady‐state conditions. The analytical model is tested against observations from Canada, the United States, and Australia to assess its utility as an initial approximation of sea water extent for the purposes of rapid groundwater management decision making. The occurrence of sea water intrusion resulting in increased salinity at pumping wells was correctly predicted in approximately 60% of cases. Application of a correction to account for dispersion did not markedly improve the results. Failure of the analytical model to provide correct predictions can be attributed to mismatches between its simplifying assumptions and more complex field settings. The best results occurred where the toe of the salt water wedge is expected to be the closest to the coast under predevelopment conditions. Predictions were the poorest for aquifers where the salt water wedge was expected to extend further inland under predevelopment conditions and was therefore more dispersive prior to pumping. Sharp‐interface solutions remain useful tools to screen for the vulnerability of coastal aquifers to sea water intrusion, although the significant sources of uncertainty identified in this study require careful consideration to avoid misinterpreting sharp‐interface results.     

Evidence for Increasing Indoor Sources of 1,2-Dichloroethane Since 2004 at Two Colorado Residential Vapor Intrusion Sites

Groundwater contamination associated with two former industrial facilities in Denver, Colorado, has led to concerns about vapor intrusion into residences adjacent to the facilities. 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA), 1,1-dichloroethene (1,1-DCE), and trichloroethene (TCE) are the main contaminants of concern in groundwater, with trace levels of 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA) present at one of the sites. Indoor air monitoring programs have been ongoing at these two sites since 1998 and recent results have suggested that background, indoor source, 1,2-DCA has been increasing in the frequency of detection, and median and maximum concentration over the past several years. A lines of evidence evaluation was undertaken for both sites in order to document the predominance of indoor sources of 1,2-DCA. Evidence utilized included spatial evaluation of 1,2-DCA in indoor air; comparison of 1,2-DCA concentrations in mitigated and unmitigated homes; a phone survey to evaluate the potential for smoking to contribute to indoor air 1,2-DCA levels; evaluation of mitigation system effluent data; and an evaluation of volatile organic compound (VOC) ratios in groundwater and indoor air. The results of this evaluation indicated that smoking had no demonstrable influence on measured indoor air concentrations. In addition, it appears that consumer products have had a markedly increased influence on indoor air concentrations since 2005. Data from one of the industrial facilities at one of the sites also indicated that polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and vinyl composite floor adhesive used in a building remodel in 2005 apparently generated elevated levels of indoor 1,2-DCA and vinyl chloride, which have been sustained up to the present time.     

Evaluation of Passive Diffusive-Adsorptive Samplers for Use in Assessing Time-Varying Indoor Air Impacts Resulting from Vapor Intrusion

Passive diffusive-adsorptive samplers are being considered for vapor intrusion (VI) pathway assessment, particularly where multi-week time-weighted average concentrations are desired. Recent studies have shown that passive samplers can produce accurate results under well-controlled steady concentration conditions, and field performance was also demonstrated at several sites. The objective of this study was to examine passive sampler performance in settings with time-varying indoor air concentrations, through a comparison of passive sampler results to concentrations determined by 24-h active sorbent tube sampling in a series of multi-week deployments. Sampling was performed in a well-instrumented residential building as well as industrial buildings, over periods of time ranging from 1 to 7 weeks. Strong linear correlations were noted between passive and active sampling concentration results for some passive samplers, with passive sampling results being similar to or lower than measured active sampling results by about 50% for those samplers in the residential study and about 25% higher in the industrial building study. Other samplers produced poor agreement. The conclusion from this study is that some passive samplers have great potential for use in multi-week indoor air quality monitoring. It was further determined that there is need for accepted procedures to validate and calibrate passive samplers for use in the field.     

Observed Spatial and Temporal Distributions of CVOCs at Colorado and New York Vapor Intrusion Sites

The vapor intrusion impacts associated with the presence of chlorinated volatile organic contaminant plumes in the ground water beneath residential areas in Colorado and New York have been the subject of extensive site investigations and structure sampling efforts. Large data sets of ground water and indoor air monitoring data collected over a decade-long monitoring program at the Redfield, Colorado, site and monthly ground water and structure monitoring data collected over a 19-month period from structures in New York State are analyzed to illustrate the temporal and spatial distributions in the concentration of volatile organic compounds that one may encounter when evaluating the potential for exposures due to vapor intrusion. The analysis of these data demonstrates that although the areal extent of structures impacted by vapor intrusion mirrors the areal extent of chlorinated volatile organic compounds in the ground water, not all structures above the plume will be impacted. It also highlights the fact that measured concentrations of volatile organic compounds in the indoor air and subslab vapor can vary considerably from month to month and season to season. Sampling results from any one location at any given point in time cannot be expected to represent the range of conditions that may exist at neighboring locations or at other times. Recognition of this variability is important when designing sampling plans and risk management programs to address the vapor intrusion pathway.