Soil Vapor Certifications & MethodsSoil Vapor Certifications & MethodsIn general accordance with the

2012 DTSC Active Soil Gas

Investigations Advisory

H&P Mobile Geochemistry, Inc.

Irvine Marriott – Sept 25, 2012

To Be Discussed

• Certifications for Soil Vapor

• Methods and Containers for Soil Vapor

• Issues to discuss with your lab and QA/QC

Certifications for Soil Vapor

Per Appendix F, Page 1:

“There are no approved USEPA methods specifically

designed to analyze volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in soil gas and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in soil gas

samples. Consequently, modified versions of existing USEPA

methods are used to analyze soil gas samples…These

modified methods can be used provided they have been

validated and it can be demonstrated that the modified

methods are capable of meeting the project data quality

objectives and established performance criteria.

Innovations and creativity are encouraged. “

“All laboratories performing soil

gas testing should be certified”Per Appendix F, pages 20-21:

“Soil gas testing laboratories can obtain certification from [CA ELAP] for all analytical methods they are using for soil gas testing. “

“(NELAP) accreditation for USEPA Methods TO-13A, TO-15 and TO-17 should be accepted in lieu of California ELAP certification for soil gas testing. Laboratories that have either certification from ELAP or NELAP for USEPA Methods 8015, 8021 or 8260B for either soil or water matrices should obtain separate certification from ELAP for soil gas work with those methods. “

Per Page 40:

“As of the date of this document, the development of a laboratory certification program for soil gas is in progress in California. Once a certification program is available…laboratories should apply to be certified.”

Accrediting Bodies offering Soil Vapor VOC Certification:

▫ NELAP Certification (state specific)

▫ DOD ELAP (Department of Defense)

▫ Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS)

▫ Florida Department of Health (FLDOH)

Why Wait? We haven’t…

▫ Florida Department of Health (FLDOH) H&P has earned certification from three of the four accrediting bodies, and

the fourth certification is in process.

What does it take to get Certified?

Requirements of Certification for EACH Lab (e.g. DOD ELAP)� Data Accountability� Demonstration of Proficiency for each Analyst� Bi-Annual Performance Tests and/or Intralab Studies

Quarterly studies for Limits of Detection & QuantitationBi-Annual Performance Tests and/or Intralab Studies

� Quarterly studies for Limits of Detection & Quantitation(LOD/LOQ), aka Reporting Limit Verification

� Requires all employees to adhere to DOD/ISO standards for project management and performance.

� Complete documentation of Corrective/Preventative Actions� Annual audits by the Accrediting Agency� Traceability and Annual Ethics Meetings

Much more stringent than CA ELAP accreditation process

Methods for Soil Vapor AnalysisStandard VOC Methods

• 8015m/LUFT• Gasoline & Diesel

• 8260SV ▫ High Level and Low Level VOCs

• TO-15 and TO-15m▫ Low Level VOCs

Other Useful Methods• APH for TPH Fractionation (per

NEW LUFT Manual)▫ Aromatic and Aliphatic TPH

Ranges reported by 8260SV, TO-15, TO-15m, and TO-17

• Oxygen and Fixed Gases▫ Useful tool for demonstrating

▫ Low Level VOCs

• 8021 / TO-14m▫ Specific list of analytes with low

reporting limits, and high daily output (30-40 samples per day)

▫ Useful tool for demonstrating bioattenuation at petroleum sites

Method TO-17New instrumentation for capturing heavier end compounds in soil vapor such as diesel, Naphthalene, PAHs, etc.(Preferred over TO-13a)

(1) GLASS SYRINGE& MOBILE LAB =

VOCs low levelNaphthalene

Sample Containers for Soil Vapor

NaphthaleneTPH gas

AromaticsAliphaticsMethane

Fixed GasesLeak Check

(1) 400mL SUMMA CAN=VOCs low levelNaphthalene

Sample Containers for Soil Vapor

NaphthaleneTPH gas

AromaticsAliphaticsMethane

Fixed GasesLeak Check

Sample Containers for Soil Vapor

TEDLAR BAGS

Tedlars have

their place in their place in

the field and

are a good

alternative to

syringes or

summas when

necessary

(1) SORBENT

TUBE =

VOCs low level

Sample Containers for Soil Vapor

VOCs low level

Naphthalene

TPH diesel

Aromatics

Aliphatics

Leak Check

Issues to Discuss with your Lab

• Action Levels (Screening Levels)▫ Determines the volume collected and method used

• Site CoCs and Known/Expected Levels of Contamination▫ Determines the analyte list and method used▫ Determines the analyte list and method used

• Project QA/QC Requirements▫ Blank Samples (lab blanks and/or field blanks)▫ Surrogates (H&P uses, but not a requirement for all methods)▫ Calibration Requirements▫ Spike Requirements▫ Field Replicate/Duplicate Samples

Always discuss project DQOs with the lab prior to beginning work!

Data Quality Assurance and ControlYour Laboratory should be able to provide performance data upon request (Example QA/QC Summary Sheet below):

The 2012 DTSC ASGI Guidance encourages

“Innovation and Creativity”• Establish your Analyte List, Project Screening Levels, and

Data Quality Objectives based on your knowledge of the

site, then call the lab to work together and determine the

best method and approach for analysis of the samples.best method and approach for analysis of the samples.

• The best, most defensible way to ensure that the lab you

are using is meeting Performance Based Measurement

Criteria, is to choose a lab that is certified for the Matrix

and Method being used.