Preemptive Vapor Mitigation Protects Students from Potential Exposure
Preemptive Vapor Mitigation Protects Students from Potential Exposure
This case study reviews a high school that has been a fixture in its Southern California community since it was built in the 1930’s. Due to onsite pesticide use, a vapor intrusion mitigation system was necessary to protect students and staff. The environmental team responsible for treating the potential vapor intrusion identified the historical use of pesticides on site and voluntarily sought a remedial solution to protect the site’s future occupants. In efforts to protect students and staff against potentially harmful vapor intrusion as a result of historic releases, a vapor intrusion barrier system was proposed as the most appropriate remedial approach.
This case study features the following:
- High school is located in an urban Southern California area with more than 3,000 students.
- Due to onsite pesticide use, a vapor intrusion mitigation system was necessary to protect students and staff.
- The vapor barrier was applied throughout the 14,000 square foot library building located on-campus.
Client Spotlight: Garnet Johnson, Director of Remediation Services at Triterra
For Garnet Johnson, Director of Remediation Services at Triterra, an environmental consulting firm based in Lansing, MI, a career path leading to environmental remediation began with a different destination, but ultimately, he’s happy where his professional journey has since taken him. That’s because Johnson, who joined Triterra in 2017, did not initially plan on a career in environmental remediation when he entered college. He shares, “I earned my BS in Biology with an Environmental Studies minor from Alma College in 2003, and started out in the Due Diligence industry doing Phase I projects for cell phone towers throughout the U.S. As my experience and career progressed, I focused more towards Phase II work and Leaking Underground Storage Tank sites. Looking back, it is amazing to see my path to Director of Remediation Services at Triterra, and it’s one that I feel fortunate to have followed.” Prior to working at Triterra, Johnson was an Environmental Scientist for a consulting firm, a Project Professional with a civil engineering firm, and prior to that served as a Project Manager at an environmental services firm. He continues, “I began working in the environmental industry in 2003 and travelled across the country completing Phase I ESAs in 39 different states over an 18-month period. I decided in 2005 that the travel was too extensive and accepted a position at an environmental consulting firm with specialization in leaking underground storage tank sites. Since that time, I have focused on both due diligence services and leaking underground storage tank sites.” In his role at Triterra, Johnson manages the firm’s Remediation and Investigation Group Staff, which primarily includes overseeing investigation and remediation projects, mentoring staff, and attracting new clients. He continues, “What I enjoy most about my job is working with the staff and creating unique solutions for complex problems. It is very rewarding to know that our solutions are often the key to making a development project feasible.”
When it comes to working with Land Science®, Johnson feels the company’s suite of products address a wide range of needs and challenges. “With regard to vapor intrusion”, he says, “Land Science has an effective solution for anything we’ve encountered, or likely will encounter relating to vapor intrusion. As an example, we had a very public project with a high-level of scrutiny from our governing agencies. Land Science was an invaluable partner and helped solve numerous complex vapor intrusion issues with the added pressure of looming construction deadlines and public review.” He adds, “I look forward to continuing to work with them on many projects in the future.”
Currently, Triterra uses Land Science vapor barrier systems at most of its new construction sites requiring vapor mitigation, due to their constructability under various scenarios. He shares, “Most important is the testing data that supports chemical resistant requirements established by the State of Michigan, and ultimately knowing that our clients can provide a safe environment for their customers. We are looking forward to the advantages Nitra-Seal® and TerraShield® can offer to the market.” He also looks forward to continuing to assist Triterra in achieving its goals, both long-term and short-term, and notes that the company has grown an average of 25% each year for the last 10 years. He continues, “We would like to maintain that consistent healthy growth. One of our biggest strengths is our office culture, and as a leadership group we have agreed that we want to maintain our healthy ‘family style’ culture. Prior to working at Triterra I was working from home. I was not looking to change that situation when Triterra approached me, however, I fell in love with the work environment here. Although my work has its challenges, it is much more enjoyable to work on those challenges with a group of people you enjoy being around.” To stay abreast of the latest industry trends and technologies, he regularly attends webinars, presentations and conferences. “We can’t provide the most comprehensive solutions to our client’s problems if we don’t know all the options that are available.”
Johnson resides in Alma, MI, and works out of Triterra’s Alma, MI office. He and his wife have three children. He shares, “All of our kids are active in youth sports and are currently learning to play piano. For family activities we enjoy summer camping trips and have a 3-acre pond on our property where the kids spend much of their summer break swimming, fishing and catching frogs. Our family garden provides us with most of our vegetables throughout the year. In addition, we added two beehives two years ago and we were able to harvest about 5 gallons of honey last year. My own hobbies include hunting, fishing, camping, running and most other outdoor activities.” He also serves as a volunteer softball and baseball coach for his community’s local youth programs. In addition, he and his family are very involved with their local school’s weekend backpack program that provides food for children who might not otherwise have anything to eat over the weekends.
When asked how he’s seen the industry change over the years, he feels new technology continues to play a vital role. “The environmental industry is always changing. We must be prepared to advance with all the new technologies and the ever-changing landscape of contaminant discovery and risk assessment.” And how would he encourage others to join in his field of study? He concludes, “I would suggest that anyone interested in our industry reach out to local consulting firms and ask a lot of questions. Anything to help build that relationship with people who are working in the field is a big help. I’ve found that many in our industry are happy to share their knowledge with other people. In addition, the answers to those questions can be used to help guide in your class choices and even help make decisions as to which area of consulting is of the most interest.”
Land Science is proud to have Garnet Johnson, Director of Remediation Services at Triterra, as a valued client and partner in environmental remediation, and appreciates his diverse background and approach in providing successful remediation outcomes for Land Science and its clients.
Client Spotlight: Spencer Cox, Project Environmental Specialist at United Consulting
If you ask Spencer Cox, Project Environmental Specialist at United Consulting, a multidiscipline engineering consulting firm and valued Land Science® partner, what his primary role is at work, you’re likely going to get more than just one answer. That’s because in addition to performing due-diligence assessments on residential, commercial, and industrial properties, he also negotiates properties through the Georgia Brownfields program, conducts Corrective Action Plans for hazardous waste facilities, and performs a host of other important responsibilities that impact the success of United’s diverse client base. Cox shares, “I also supervise and document UST closures, manage hazardous waste remediation, perform air quality modeling, conduct school site hazard analyses and modeling, and conduct asbestos and lead-based-paint analysis.” He continues, “In addition, I am a technical advisor for field sampling, data analysis, and personnel management, with a specific focus on vapor intrusion.” To prepare for such a diverse range of responsibilities, Cox earned his BS in Biology from Kennesaw State University in Georgia, where he also minored in Stream Ecology. He had developed an interest in environmental sciences as a child, partly because his father works in the forestry and millwork industry, with a focus in sustainability. He continues, “While in college, like many incoming science-oriented freshmen, I found myself on the pre-med pathway. But my interests changed when I took my first biology course. Soon I was taking every biology and ecology course that the college offered, earning not only a biology degree but a minor in stream ecology too.” Now, with almost 10 years of experience at United Consulting, he believes his contributions are making a difference. Working for a company that strives to reach its long term goals of promoting enhanced ethical professionalism in the industry and continuing its strong customer service focus, with an overarching goal of becoming the premier consulting firm in the Southeast and abroad continues to motivate Cox. With headquarters based in Norcross, Georgia, United Consulting offers extensive experience in environmental and geotechnical consulting, geophysical services, construction materials testing, and inspection services.
When asked what he likes most about working with Land Science, Cox says the company’s approach to offering turnkey solutions helps set Land Science apart from other environmental remediation providers. He continues, “Land Science is solutions-oriented much like United Consulting. When our clients come to the table with issues, it often takes a collaborative approach to identify cost-effective solutions. Land Science has set a high bar for customer service and detail and have been specifically requested to provide their services on several projects by our clients. When issues arise on projects, their team is working immediately to provide insight and real-world solutions for our clients.” As an example of the quick on-site response that Land Science offers, he points to a project that called for extensive vapor intrusion mitigation. He continues, “Recently, we worked with a fast-paced client who elected to install a Land Science vapor barrier product within days of the keystone development deadline. By working with Land Science and their network of certified installers, we were able to install a full vapor intrusion mitigation system within a two-week period. This was a key factor that allowed this development to reach completion on schedule.” When it comes to product usage, Cox says United Consulting uses a full range of Land Science solutions. He continues, “We use Land Science’s range of vapor intrusion barriers the most. Not only do these barriers provide a mitigation approach for vapor intrusion issues, but they add future protection and value for our clients. Working with redevelopments, and specifically with the Georgia Brownfields Program, we’ve seen first-hand the benefits of a spray applied barrier time and time again.” To stay current with technology and evolving industry trends, he makes it a priority to read the latest periodicals and information, which also helps in his staff training. He continues, “Working in such a technical industry, it’s important that I am constantly learning and growing to ensure I can continue to train individuals from a technical standpoint, and foster better relationships with our clients. It’s also important that with evolving sciences such as vapor intrusion and emerging sciences such as Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), that we are providing the very latest solutions.”
During his time at United Consulting, Cox has been based out of the company’s corporate office in Norcross, Georgia. To date, he has worked on projects in thirteen states and says he hopes to reach all 50 states one day. In his free time, he enjoys volunteering at a woodworking shop on the weekends, assisting various charity organizations. The large southeastern based not-for-profit that he works with recently promoted him to a Director position. He shares, “We operate and donate our time for organizations such as the Shriners Hospital and Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. In my Director role, I oversee and operate woodworking and prop designing for various charities. We also put on a yearly event ourselves that raises money for charity. In the past four years we have raised over $250,000 in local Atlanta donations for various organizations and wildlife sanctuaries. It is extremely rewarding work that allows me to interact with young adults from many backgrounds and situations.”
When asked what he enjoys most about his professional work, Cox is quick to point to the gratification of seeing his efforts come to fruition. “The most rewarding aspect of my job,” he says, “is coming back to a development and seeing the impact of our work on a community. Many projects we work on become keystone developments that spur further positive changes to a local area.” And the most challenging aspect of his work? “Working with rapid redevelopment projects that do not fit into the typical schedule. Land Science has been a great partner with these developments by assisting certified applicators that are flexible, proactive, and engaged with installation schedules.”
When asked how he’s seen the industry change over the years, he feels clients are more familiar with the various solutions available. He continues, “The industry has definitely changed. Our clientele and contractors are becoming more aware and knowledgeable about the products and services they are utilizing to conduct due-diligence, remediation, and mitigation on properties.” And how would he encourage others to join his field of study? He concludes, “Encouraging others about the environmental industry starts with understanding that what we do has an impact on not only the environment, but people’s lives. It is important that, as an industry, we are teaching the next generation the broad value of services and solutions, and how people can impact and address environmental issues in the future.”
Land Science is proud to have Spencer Cox, Project Environmental Specialist at United Consulting, as a valued client and partner in environmental remediation, and appreciates his highly diverse background and approach in providing successful remediation outcomes for Land Science® and its clients.
Client Spotlight: Denise Sullivan, Principal and Owner of Urban Green Environmental, LLC
Ask Denise Sullivan, Principal and Owner of Urban Green Environmental, LLC, an environmental consulting and engineering firm and valued Land Science® client, about how she chose a career in environmental remediation and you’re likely to get the response, “Well, my career chose me.” That’s because Sullivan, upon graduation from Tufts University, where she earned her BS in Civil Engineering, found that most of the jobs readily available were in the environmental market, predominantly investigating and remediating properties for environmental impacts and contamination. She shares, “I needed a job, and at the time I never would have guessed that I would find my passion for my career in that first job. My first position was at a company, Ensol, Inc. in Billerica, Massachusetts. It was a small firm, much like Urban Green Environmental, which I started in 2007, and I have modeled much of our internal culture at Urban Green Environmental based on my early experiences at Ensol.” Becoming an entrepreneur and starting her own business targeting the environmental sciences had always been a dream for Sullivan as a way to own and grow her own company while also giving back to the environment. She says her success is based upon nurturing a strong entrepreneurial spirit and choosing a field that she is passionate about. She continues, “I have dedicated my career to the environmental field and have worked hard to carve out a niche where my firm can successfully balance environmental goals with economic development. My proudest accomplishment as a business owner is the team of committed individuals that comprise Urban Green. In 2007, despite the challenging economic climate, I felt the time was right to invest in myself, my adopted hometown of Baltimore, and establish a niche firm focused on environmental investigations of Brownfields and urban in-fill properties. When I started, I was a one-person company and operated out of my home. Today, Urban Green has six employees, an expanding office in Locust Point, and a clear mission and vision.”
When asked about working with Land Science®, Sullivan feels the range of products offer important solutions towards successful project completion for their clients. “We have several projects in Baltimore City that employ the use of Land Science® vapor barriers,” she says. “Specifically, Geo-Seal® and Retro-Coat™. It is rare to have a project in our Maryland Department of the Environment Voluntary Cleanup Program, particularly in an urban environment such as Baltimore City, where we do not spec a vapor barrier with proven resistance to volatile organic compounds, known as VOCs. Retro-Coat™ has been a critical product for many of our projects, and we have used it with great success on some of our current projects.” As one would expect, staying current in an ever-changing industry can have its challenges, so Sullivan regularly attends the National Brownfields conference as well as local Brownfield conferences to stay abreast of the latest trends and technology. When asked about the future goals of Urban Green Environmental, she emphasizes the company’s need to remain focused on providing current solutions for successful outcomes. She shares, “Our mission is to investigate properties for environmental liabilities and provide solutions to those liabilities for private and public organizations and institutions. We have a wide array of clients in the public, private and non-profit sectors and are excited about the future of the company.”
Recently married for the first time and residing in Baltimore, MD, Sullivan’s husband also plays a key role in Urban Green Environmental’s success. She continues, “I’m married to a wonderful Frenchman, Sylvain Masset, who is also an engineer with a focus in the air testing equipment industry (ATI). His expertise has been invaluable over the past few years as Urban Green has developed diagnostic testing protocols for our vapor mitigation systems.” Outside of work, they enjoy hiking on weekends, and she hopes to one day build a new home with her “talented husband.” She also finds time to serve as a member of the Advisory Board for The Baltimore Center for Sustainable Careers (BCSC), a project of Civic Works, Baltimore’s non-profit service corp. In addition, she volunteers as an instructor for the B’more Green Brownfields Training Program, a workforce development program. “Since 2004, I have provided classroom instruction for future environmental field technicians, and I’ve also hired two graduates from this training program.” When asked about the most challenging aspect of her work, Sullivan points to the need to work effectively with people, yet stresses this can also be rewarding as well. She continues, “For me, working with people in general is the most challenging and the most rewarding. I believe our best efforts come from a team, and I find myself awed and so very lucky at the team that has been attracted to Urban Green. They work so hard and are extremely dedicated.”
As the environmental remediation industry continues to evolve, Sullivan sees potential for continued growth and development, particularly in soil and demolition materials, as well as vapor intrusion and mitigation. She shares, “Other than the investigation and remediation of PFOAs, which it seems most in our industry are tracking closely, I think we’ll continue to see progress in densely developed urban areas and on brownfields, along with emerging trends for the re-use of soil and demolition materials (concrete, brick, etc.) and vapor intrusion/mitigation.” And what advice would she give to others who might be considering a career in environment remediation? She concludes, “That’s an interesting question and one that is difficult for me to answer. I would encourage folks who are curious about Brownfields or contaminated properties who want to make an impact on the future of our environment to get involved early on and nurture their curiosity by exploring the various career paths that are out there.”
Land Science® is proud to have Denise Sullivan, Principal and Owner of Urban Green Environmental, LLC as a valued client and partner in vapor intrusion mitigation, and appreciates her diverse experience and knowledge base in providing successful remediation outcomes for Land Science® and its clients.
The Vapor Intrusion Risk Pathway: Regulatory Updates & Continuous Monitoring
Land Science is pleased to present a webinar with vapor intrusion experts Dr. Blayne Hartman of Hartman Environmental Geoscience and Dr. Mark Kram of Groundswell Technologies. During this webinar presentation, they discuss updates regarding vapor intrusion pathway issues, including regulatory updates and the use of vapor intrusion continuous monitoring technology. They are joined by Tom Szocinski, CEP, Director of Vapor Intrusion at Land Science, who will discuss technologies to mitigate vapor intrusion.
Learn the following in this free webinar:
- Current VI Pathway Issues, Including:
- Status of Short Term Exposures to TCE
- Regulatory Default Soil Gas Attenuation Factors
- Dynamics Rules
- Chasing Sewers
- VI Indicators and Surrogates
- Return of the J&E Model
- Expediting VI Assessments and Remedies with High Resolution Continuous Monitoring and Response.
Recording now available
Complete the form below to view the recording of this free webinar.
Client Spotlight: Prem Neupane, Program Manager with Apex Companies, LLC
As an experienced Program Manager with Apex Companies, LLC, a leading environmental services firm and valued Land Science® client, Prem Neupane has an ongoing appreciation for seeing firsthand how his efforts and those of Apex can make a difference in site cleanup. “When I compare the before and after activities at the remediation site,” he says, “Especially those in the State Voluntary Cleanup Program, Brownfield program and sites located in urban areas, our project work continues to provide me with great satisfaction.” With 18 years of experience at Apex, first as an Environmental Scientist, then as a Project Manager and now as a Program Manager, Neupane has been involved in a diverse range of remediation projects. In his current role, he manages several clients, participates in business development, and manages all aspects of his project work- from initiation to close-out. He shares, “I like interacting with clients, our trusted vendors and suppliers/lab, and fellow Apexians, and ultimately finding the optimum solutions for environmental remediation problems.” Prior to joining Apex, Neupane performed a year-long internship with the USGS in Dover, DE working on the Air Force Base projects. To prepare for a career in environmental science he earned a BS in Environmental Science from Troy University, followed by a MS in Science and Water Resources at Miami University in Ohio. He continues, “I became interested in the environmental field during high school. After completing my undergrad studies at Troy University, I went straight to graduate school to further enhance my knowledge on environmental issues. While working on my Master of Science at Miami University, I was able to take a few advance level courses in contamination, and shifted my focus toward environmental characterization and remediation. Aside from seeing projects through to fruition, it’s the interdisciplinary nature of this field that interests me the most.”
With nearly 20 years of experience in the environmental industry, Neupane takes great pride in his work, while continuing to focus on the company’s long-term goals, which include the practice of utilizing sustainable remediation technologies. He continues, “At Apex, our plans are to strategically grow the company by harnessing the power of innovation, especially in the use of green remediation. We continually invest in leading-edge, sustainable remediation technologies and in remediation experts who can develop and deploy them. Beyond our use of evaporative desorption technology (EDT), ex-situ on-site bioremediation, cryogenic vapor treatment technology (CVTT), and remote station soil vapor extraction (SVE) – which are just a few ways we help our clients move to more effective results –we plan to adopt and deliver more efficient, practical, and sensible remedial strategies that continue to benefit our clients and communities.” When it comes to working with Land Science®, he continues to be impressed with their client service, responsiveness, and their ability to provide assistance with product recommendations that fit a variety of challenges and situations. He points out that on a recent project, and on short notice, Land Science® met the Apex team at the job site to discuss solutions for an existing issue. As for which Land Science® products Apex uses, two come to mind. He shares, “Geo-Seal® and Retro-Coat™ vapor intrusion coating are those we have used the most. However, we are open to the new products Land Science® has rolled out recently. Geo-Seal® is a composite vapor intrusion barrier system that consists of chemical resistance high density polyethylene (HDPE) and spray applied asphalt latex. It is ideal for installation on new construction. Retro-Coat™ consists of chemically resistant material that is applied to existing structures to prevent potential vapor intrusion risks. I like them both because they are relatively easy to apply, are compatible and effective with VOCs from petroleum as well as chlorinated solvents sources, and they are very popular and well liked by regulators.”
When asked about the future of environmental remediation, including trends on the horizon, Neupane points to advancements in technology that enable more accurate targeting of contamination in subsurface and faster analysis. He also expects to see more cost-effective solutions, greener cleanups and green remediation to minimize the environmental “footprint” of remediation activities, emerging contaminants, and vapor intrusion solutions. He notes that the EPA describes green remediation as “The practice of considering all environmental effects of remedy implementation and incorporating options to maximize net environmental benefit of cleanup actions.” He continues, “Some local and state regulatory agencies, such as the Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) in Washington, DC, are encouraging responsible parties to consider and report green remediation strategies for remediation sites. Green remediation allows us to reduce the environmental footprint of a cleanup project.” To stay abreast of emerging technologies and trends, Neupane regularly attends seminars and training modules, and participates in webinars offered by remediation industries and coalitions, such as those offered by the Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC). He shares a recent example of a training seminar he attended in May of last year, “I attended Vapor Intrusion (VI) & Soil Gas Training provided by Dr. Blayne Hartman of Hartman Environmental Geoscience, at Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago. The training was very informational and covered the latest in regulatory, assessment, sampling, analysis and mitigation, as well as legal considerations.” When prompted about the most challenging aspect of his work, he feels accounting for project uncertainties and including contingencies to complete the remediation work on budget and on time can be difficult. “Weather can also be a challenge sometimes,” he says, “Especially with large scale water related projects during winter months.”
Currently residing in Chicago, with his wife and daughter, Neupane works out of Apex’s downtown Chicago office, and frequently travels to the company’s Washington, D.C. region for project work and meetings. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, biking, and visiting new places with his family. He shares, “Having grown up in Nepal, I was always drawn to the beauty of the Himalayas. I visit Nepal and try to hit the hiking trails there whenever possible. I was in Nepal just this past October with the family and did some hiking near Mt. Annapurna (10th tallest mountain). Whenever I travel to a new place I seek out nearby hiking/biking trails.” And how would he encourage others to join his field of study? He concludes by emphasizing the potential long-term contributions that his profession makes possible. “Remind those who may be interested that they can make a positive impact on human health and the environment. Look at the bigger picture and think of your contribution to future generations.”
Land Science® is proud to have Prem Neupane, Project Manager for Apex Companies, as a valued client and partner in environmental remediation, and appreciates his expert knowledge and experience in providing successful remediation outcomes for Land Science® and its clients.
Industry Expert Spotlight: Blayne Hartman PhD, President of Hartman Environmental Geoscience
As a nationally recognized expert on soil vapor sampling, soil vapor analysis, and vapor intrusion, Blayne Hartman, Ph.D. and President of Hartman Environmental Geoscience, a valued Land Science® client, continues to leverage his nearly 40 years of experience to provide solution leadership on soil gas methods and vapor intrusion to regulatory agencies in over 35 states, and counting. Prior to forming Hartman Environmental Geoscience nearly 10 years ago, he specialized in training County and State regulatory agencies across the U.S., and many of the USEPA regions, the U.S. Department of Defense, and numerous stakeholder groups and consultants. Although he has amassed diverse experience in a specialized field, he is currently focusing his efforts on indoor air testing. He shares, “I currently do indoor air testing around the country using high-resolution, real-time analyzers. Over the years I’ve developed expertise in the testing of vapors for a suite of volatile compounds that the EPA has strict regulations on.” To prepare for a career centered around making an impact on our earth’s environment, Hartman earned his Ph.D. in Geology, Geochemistry, and Oceanography from the University of Southern California, (USC) and preceded that with a Masters in Earth Sciences, also from USC. He began his university studies at Clarkson University, in Potsdam, New York, where he received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, after developing an interest in earth sciences while in high school. He continues, “Early on I went to work for Union Oil Company in Brea, CA. Based upon my background, they assigned me to the dissolved ocean seepage project, which they were looking into at the time. I saw an opportunity to offer this service to other oil companies, so I opened my own business in 1988 offering this service and other ocean-related services, such as coring. Oceanography was a tough and risky business back then, so I decided to move into the environmental business in 1990, offering on-site analysis.”
To stay abreast of new industry trends and emerging technology, Hartman teaches continuing education courses around the country and in several countries. This year his instruction included a course titled, Vapor Intrusion Pathway, in conjunction with Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago at Argonne’s Conference Center. The course covered the latest regulatory updates (State & Federal), provided a review and updates on assessment and mitigation methods, and provided a refresher on key topics relating to the VI risk pathway. When asked how he’s seen the industry change over the years, he points to the advancements made in data resolution and real-time data delivery. He shares, “The biggest change I’ve seen in the industry is the embrace of high-resolution data and real-time data telemetry. 20 to 30 years ago we would collect soil samples at 5-foot depth intervals at pre-determined locations on a site, send them to a lab, wait a week or two for results and then figure out what to do next. Now, we are collecting continuous data through the soil column, getting real-time results and beaming the data to a person’s desk enabling real-time decisions on what to do next while the crews are still in the field. The same is true with indoor air sampling. Rather than collect a few discrete samples and sending to a lab, we are analyzing continuously with automated instruments and sending the data to the web in real-time.”
When it comes to working with Land Science®, Hartman appreciates and enjoys the level of interfacing he receives, which has led to building strong relationships. “Although I really don’t work with Land Science® directly,” he says, “I do get involved with the executive team. I’ve had a relationship with Land Science® for over 10 years now and I know all their principals. The biggest mutual benefit we both receive from the relationship is exposure. They have a strong marketing presence and client database that I do not have, and I have a reputation in the vapor “world” that brings exposure to them.” When asked what he enjoys most about his work, he points to the satisfaction he receives from assisting clients in overcoming significant challenges. He shares, “Helping people out of predicaments can be very satisfying. In the environmental business, we are generally more like grim reapers than heroes. I often say to my clients, ‘Hopefully you won’t see me again.’ So, it’s very rewarding when I get a client out of a jam quickly and inexpensively.”
Married and residing in Solana Beach, CA, Hartman has two children and one stepdaughter. His son works with him and has steadily gained experience. He continues, “He has become my field chemist. In 2019 alone, he has completed field jobs in Belgium, Boston, Vermont, Seattle, Portland, OR, Indianapolis, Michigan, and numerous jobs all around CA. I couldn’t handle this by myself, and I’m now getting him involved in the business development side of things.” Outside of his work, Hartman enjoys various outdoor activities, and he’s been playing handball for over 40 years. “I do all kinds of things outdoors,” he says, “I’ve waterskied the Colorado River, am a small plane pilot, enjoy snow skiing and backpacking, and have also river-rafted the Grand Canyon twice. As you can probably sense, I love being outdoors, and my earth sciences background translates into wanting to be outside, since the outdoors is the laboratory for geologists and oceanographers.” And what does he see the future holds in environmental assessment? He concludes, “The future will bring more real-time, higher resolution analysis streamed to the internet for rapid decision-making. Like everything in life, real-time information is the present and the future. Just look at people on their cell phones- constantly engaged, accessing real-time information. The same is happening in the environmental field. More data enables better understanding of the situation, and real-time data enables faster decisions, which in turn, saves time and expense.”
Land Science® is proud to have Blayne Hartman, President of Hartman Environmental Geoscience, as a valued client and partner in environmental assessment, and appreciates his highly specialized experience and knowledge base in providing successful outcomes for Land Science® and its clients.
Client Spotlight: Ron Carroll, Owner and Managing Principal of ATON LLC
For Ron Carroll, owner and Managing Principal of ATON LLC, an environmental consulting and engineering firm and valued Land Science® client, choosing a career in environmental remediation was both a personal and professional choice. That’s because when he was younger, Mr. Carroll lived near and had friends who were impacted by the Times Beach dioxin cleanup project in the St. Louis area. As a result of toxic chemicals being mixed with oil and applied to roads for dust control, a massive cleanup was initiated in a small town in St. Louis County. Consequently, the EPA ended up buying many of the homes within the town to facilitate an effective cleanup in the area. Understandably, this environmental hazard and subsequent remediation project left an indelible impression on Mr. Carroll, and he eventually pursued and earned a B.S. in Environmental and Hazardous Materials Management, and a B.A. in Biology, from the University of Findlay. In addition to his university degrees, he also became a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager and Certified Industrial Hygienist. His university studies and professional work experience that followed would eventually culminate in forming ATON, where he oversees the firm’s business activities. He shares, “I’m responsible for managing our environmental, health and safety consulting work, and all administrative operations. I also conduct and oversee site inspections, multi-media sampling, coordination and negotiation with regulatory agencies, facility decommissioning, demolition, and regulatory reporting.” Prior to forming ATON eight years ago, Mr. Carroll held management positions with a national due diligence and real estate assessment company performing environmental, building sciences, and valuation services; and a national environmental engineering consulting firm that provided site investigation, industrial hygiene, remediation, and regulatory compliance services.
When asked what he likes most about his work, Mr. Carroll points to the benefits that result from consistent teamwork. He continues, “I enjoy interacting on a daily basis with our employees and clients to find sound technical solutions to challenging problems. I also take satisfaction as a mentor to technical staff and as a trusted advisor to our clients in the commercial and industrial sectors.” And the most challenging aspect of his work? “Keeping track of ever-changing regulations and how those regulations affect our business and our clients’ business. While it can be challenging, we feel we’re well-equipped. We’re looking to continue our growth organically by adding key technical staff and expanding geographically. We also see the redevelopment of brownfields as a significant growth area for the company.” When it comes to working with Land Science, Mr. Carroll appreciates the combination of innovative solutions and service ATON receives on a consistent basis. He continues, “Land Science continues to provide a quality product with seamless technical expertise, and this helps in the design and implementation phases of our remedial work. We were recently involved in the relocation and development of a large scale, commercial laundry operation in the St. Louis region that involved the construction of a building over a former chemical plant that is highly regulated by the EPA. The success of the redevelopment using Land Science products led to the continued development of industrial warehouse space near the former plant. In essence, the Land Science solutions form a complete package that typically exceeds our design specifications.”
Residing in St. Louis, with his wife and two children, Mr. Carroll likes to spend his free time with his family, enjoying the outdoors, traveling, and attending various sporting events. “We have a great baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals,” he says, “and the Stanley Cup hockey champs, the St. Louis Blues.” He also finds time to give back to his community as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. To stay abreast of emerging trends and new technologies, ATON offers all its employees continuing education and technical training for environmental, health & safety (EHS) consulting and remediation work. When asked how he he’s seen the industry change, his focus turns to the advancements made possible through innovation. He continues, “We’ve seen technical innovation working its way into what historically has been a labor-intensive industry. In the past we’ve relied on field sample collection and off-site analysis for environmental contaminants. More recently, we’re able to use smaller and lighter field instruments to detect and analyze contaminant concentrations without having to send samples to a laboratory. In addition, innovations in data collection and management have allowed us to compile data and issue reports much quicker, which in turn allows our clients to make more informed and faster decisions on tight timeframes.” Asked what he sees the future holds for environmental remediation, he feels the consulting side of the business will continue to grow. He shares, “We see the traditional EHS consulting field continuing with strong growth. The environmental remediation industry also continues to grow through local, state, and national brownfield development initiatives.” And how would he encourage others to join his field of study? He concludes, “Education and training in STEM are keys to our success and growth. I would encourage others interested in science and the environmental field to become STEM practitioners and supporters as a way to enter this industry.”
Land Science is proud to have Ron Carroll, Managing Principal of ATON, as a valued client and partner in environmental remediation, and appreciates his vast experience and knowledge base in providing successful remediation outcomes for Land Science and its clients.
Four Facts You Should Know About Vapor Intrusion
Vapor intrusion is the migration of vapor-phase contaminant chemicals from a subsurface source in an overlaying building or structure. The objective of many vapor intrusion investigation professionals is to be able to detect possible pathways for contaminant vapors and their location within the building or structure. Understanding the potential pathways helps to identify risks. A solid understanding of potential pathways informs the client selling the building to potential tenants, who need to be able to live and function within the building without exposure to health risks. Here are four key things to know about vapor intrusion.
It’s A Process
Number one, vapor intrusion investigation and mitigation is a process. Vapor intrusion science requires in-depth investigation. It is not a field which requires only one test to say whether a building does or does not have vapor intrusion. In-depth investigation includes options based on the site and its environment. The in-depth investigation must determine what type of gases are emitting through the cracks, where the origin and the major intrusion pathway are located. Additionally, the consultant’s next step is contacting the local government environmental representative to confirm the state’s regulatory guidelines and to receive approvals for developing the site. Even after all the preparation work and investigations, the environmental consultant will have to develop a design to cover the exact needs of the site. There is no quick way to handle vapor intrusion. Each site must be evaluated thoroughly to move onto the next step to mitigate the effects of the vapor intrusion.
Recognize Outside Factors
Though thorough investigation is necessary to get an accurate reading of the site, the results may not be complete. At times investigations or screenings of a site will pick up additional vapors from the testing area or concentrated in one single area to indicate contaminants present. These readings could be caused by a number of factors, even common household appliances on site. For example, if an industrial adhesive product like E6000 glue is located anywhere in the screening area, there will be a significant increase in TCE indicated in the testing, which would easily skew the readings. So, Before any screening can be performed on site, investigators should go through the site with a close eye looking for indoor VOC sources, like paints, cleaning supplies, or insecticides. For more information, visit the EPA’s website regarding the specific materials to look for in a site, along with other information to address VOC concerns is a great resource: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality.
In a webinar with Land Science, and the Compound Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) Lab Director of Microbial Insights provides some tools to help distinguish whether the source of vapor-contaminated indoor air originates from the buildings subsurface or an indoor source.
There are other uncontrolled factors that could contribute to excessive readings, including spatial and temporal variability. Some examples of spatial variability factors to consider are soil types like gravel or sand, bedrock fractures, oxygen distribution in the soil, subsurface building structures and even surface features like pavement or water features. Each of these examples either provide a clear path for VOCs to reach the site or the groundwater or affect how quickly VOCs could reach the site. Examples of temporal variability include: wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, temperature inside or outside, precipitation, and ambient contaminants. These variables can affect how the screenings read the concentrations of VOCs at the site.
Solutions Are Site Dependent
Vapor mitigation professionals are also tasked with developing a solution based on the site’s conditions along with the state/federal regulations. Each site is different, so vapor mitigation often cannot be based on a plan used at a former site with similar conditions. The investigations unveil all the aspects of a site that determine what the remediation plan will be, including: soil types, weather patterns, gas distributions, subsurface conditions, as well as site goals and budget. Each one of these factors can impact the design of a vapor mitigation system, and each factor can yield different results.
Land Science is comprised of a team of vapor intrusion mitigation professionals who have the technical expertise and industry experience to make the most effective recommendations for our clients. Couple that with a range of innovative technologies that address a variety of site types, and the result is industry-leading vapor intrusion solutions that help public safety.
It’s a Growing and an Evolving Science
The final key idea behind vapor intrusion science that everyone should know, it is a growing and an evolving science. The reason vapor intrusion science came into existence was because of the avid use of VOCs—volatile organic compounds–as root zone fumigants and other applications in the 1950s. Surveys of landfill gas and radon exposure in the 1960s lead to the discovery of vapor intrusion in the late 1970s and was found to affect indoor air quality at heavily contaminated sites, which brought the full scope of regulatory attention.
However, at this point, scientists and regulators dismissed the concerns to homeowners due to the processes of dilution and attenuation as well as the ambiguous exposure standards and the fact that most vapor intrusion was found at major former industrial sites. Consequently, scientists began finding vapor intrusion inside residential homes and decided to facilitate public education by going door-to-door and providing information on the issue of vapor intrusion.
The increase in public awareness resulted in a rise of attention and studies regarding vapor intrusion through the 1990s to the 2000s, pushing states to start developing vapor intrusion protocols and ultimately causing the EPA to publish “Guidance for Evaluating the Vapor Intrusion to Indoor Air Pathway from Groundwater & Soils.” Today 42 states have developed their own regulation system for vapor intrusion and the other 8 follow the EPA’s regulation system or deal with vapor intrusion on a case-by-case basis. The history of vapor intrusion has expanded over decades; from the introduction of VOCs in the 50s to the development of a national regulation standards in the 2000s, vapor intrusion science has gone through many changes and continues to develop. Those who work in the field of vapor intrusion must expect continuous changes, whether it be through regulation, techniques, or emerging science on its effects.
This evolution has caused remediation companies notice and respond to the demand and serves to further develop the technology. For instance, Land Science, a division of REGENESIS® and a global leader of advanced vapor intrusion mitigation technologies, recently introduced TerraShield – a cutting-edge remediation technology which provides superior chemical resistance over any vapor barrier on the market today. Land Science also offers a full-suite of vapor intrusion barrier systems including Nitra-Seal, a proven vapor barrier system now improved with nitrile; and MonoShield, a chemically resistant and easy-to-apply barrier specifically designed as a preemptive solution for vapor intrusion at brownfield redevelopment sites and Retro-Coat, a chemically resistant vapor barrier coating system to properly protect existing structures from the threat of contaminant vapor intrusion . With solutions like TerraShield, Nitra-Seal, MonoShield and Retro-Coat being made available to vapor intrusion mitigation industry, this field is now poised to address the needs created by an increasingly demanding regulatory landscape.
Client Spotlight: Matt Ambrusch, Environmental Project Manager for Langan Engineering and Environmental Services
When it comes to playing a part in cleaning up the environment, Matt Ambrusch, Environmental Project Manager for Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc., a valued Land Science® client, realizes he has a responsibility to help ensure healthy and safe communities. Focused on designing, implementing, operating, and optimizing remediation systems, Ambrusch feels he is doing his part to help provide sustainable remedies to address today’s contaminated environments. He shares, “No site is ever the same and every day brings a new and interesting challenge.” During his seven years at Langan, he has progressed from Staff Environmental Engineer, to Senior Staff Environmental Engineer, and now his current position, as Project Manager. Throughout his career, Ambrusch has made significant contributions to the success of his clients and their projects, particularly in the field of pneumatic technologies. He continues, “My personal focus has been on pneumatic solutions that include air sparging, soil vapor extraction, multi-phase extraction, vapor mitigation, and even methane mitigation and collection. I also help lead the charge to develop and grow our two-dimensional and three-dimensional pneumatic modeling practice. These models allow us the ability to better predict system performance under both existing and future site conditions, and ultimately design a more effective and efficient pneumatic-based remedial system.”
Like many of his peers who work and thrive in the environmental remediation industry, Ambrusch’s interest in the environment began early in life. He continues, “What started out as a desire to always be outside as a kid, grew into a passion for environmental science after taking an environmental studies course during my senior year of high school. I also had an aptitude for math, and recognized that with the applicable college major, a career in environmental engineering just made sense.” His university studies culminated with a BS in Bioenvironmental Engineering from Rutgers University and later an MBA in Strategy and Leadership from Rutgers Business School. He is also a licensed professional engineer in the State of New Jersey. When he joined Langan early in his career, it did not take long for Ambrusch to develop an appreciation for the firm’s high level of expertise and client service, and the goals that Langan has set for itself. He shares, “Langan has always been focused on technical excellence, practical experience, and client responsiveness. Whatever we do as a company, these values continue to be paramount to our success. As national and state regulations become more stringent, and new contaminants of concern come into focus, we look to position ourselves effectively so that we can continue to provide our clients innovative, proven, and cost-efficient solutions. This includes continuing to expand our landfill redevelopment practice. As a team, we are also working on expanding our in-house treatability study and pilot test capabilities.”
When it comes to working with Land Science®, Ambrusch appreciates the industry-leading solutions and rapid response he receives on a consistent basis. “Simply put,” he says, “Land Science® provides cutting- edge technologies and is extremely responsive.” Ambrusch continues, “I work on a lot of redevelopment projects requiring vapor mitigation – these projects are fast paced and require effective cost-competitive solutions. Land Science® understand the needs required with these types of projects and continues to innovate in an effort to make vapor mitigation products more effective and cost efficient.” He also appreciates the level of service and customization offered by Land Science®. He adds, “I am heavily involved in the design and implementation of vapor mitigation systems for redevelopment projects. As such, we often look to Land Science® for innovative vapor barrier materials or application methods that fit the site-specific needs of the project.”
Asked what he thinks the future holds for environmental remediation, Ambrusch feels a focus on sustainable remedies is where the industry is heading. He shares, “Other than emerging contaminants, which everyone is talking about, I see a push for more sustainable remedies.” Ambrusch goes on to say, “The intent of effective remediation is to improve human health and the environment, and we need to be aware of the potential negative impacts the remedial activities we are implementing on one site may have on another. We also need to consider the economical and societal pros and cons of a proposed remedial strategy, both on and offsite.”
Residing in Rockaway, New Jersey with his wife Riley, over the years Ambrusch has worked out of Langan’s Lawrenceville and Elmwood Park (now Parsippany NJ) offices. In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors, and is an avid golfer and snowboarder. He also finds time to provide his expertise to assist the Sustainable Remediation Forum (SURF) and serves as the current President. When asked what he enjoys most about his work, he points to the difference he can make for both our planet and those of us who inhabit it. He shares, “I get a great deal of satisfaction designing and implementing a remedial or mitigation system and see it positively impact the environment.”
Land Science® is proud to have Matt Ambrusch, Environmental Project Manager for Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc., as a valued client and partner in environmental remediation, and appreciates his expertise and ongoing efforts in providing successful remediation outcomes for Land Science® and its clients.