Monday, January 08, 2007
In 2002 the EPA published the "Draft Guidance for Evaluating the Vapor Intrusion to Indoor Air Pathway from Groundwater and Soil," since then the interest in soil vapor intrusion analysis has grown. The phrase "soil vapor intrusion" refers to the process by which volatile chemicals seep from a buried source into the indoor air of structures built above. Vapors from solvents and other industrial chemicals which contaminate the soil have been found in residential buildings, retail centers and industrial structures. Testing the soil next to the structures or within the structure can be used in determining if volatile contaminants have migrated into the structure. H2M Labs, located in Melville, New York, has been analyzing air samples, using various types of media for over 20 years. Their staff has been trained on the proper techniques involved in preparing and certifying the canisters and analysis. H2M Labs recently increased their inventory of canisters and flow controllers to provide their clients with the sampling equipment needed. H2M Labs helps clients evaluate and handle potential risk associated with these vapors through effective site testing techniques and remedial solutions.
Soil vapor, or soil gas, is the air found in the spaces between soil particles and can become contaminated when chemicals migrate from buried sources. If soil vapor is contaminated and enters a building the indoor air quality may be affected. Soil vapor can enter a building whether it is old or new, or whether it has a basement, a crawl space, or is on a slab.
Equipped with a state of the art Canister system, H2M Labs offers the following: Batch certified canisters and Individual certified canisters. Canister sizes include 0.6L, 1.4L, 6L, and 15L. For higher level parts per million (ppm) samples we also have loop sampling capability. H2M Labs routinely calibrates down to sub parts per billion (ppb) levels, and utilizes various siloxane passivated canisters and sampling hardware from Entech and Restek. They perform full scan calibrations to ppb levels and supply hardware required to perform time integrated and grab sampling. By utilizing custom Canisters, hardware Inventory and Certification tracking system, it allows tracking of all hardware historical data. They also provide standard and custom reports as well as electronic deliverables.
Founded in 1957, H2M Labs is a leading analytical testing laboratory performing analyses in bacteriology; wet and automated chemistry; gas and liquid chromatography; atomic absorption and ICP spectrophotometry; and GC/mass spectrometry. Staffed by expert chemists, biologists, toxicologists and technicians, the laboratory is fully equipped to perform testing on potable and non-potable water, soil, sediment, industrial waste and wastewater; municipal sewage, solid wastes, hazardous materials, tissues, air and data validation services.
H2M Labs, Inc. has been awarded the American Council of Independent Laboratories (ACIL) Seal of Excellence consecutively every year since 2001 for demonstrated ethics, customer service and quality. Joann M. Slavin is the Senior Vice President, and Laboratory Manager for H2M Labs. As Laboratory Manager, Ms. Slavin is responsible for directing all laboratory operations and activities. She became Vice President in 1993, and is member of the Board of Directors. She received both an M.S. and B.S. degree in Toxicology from St. John's University, and is currently a member and Board Director of the New York Association of Approved Environmental Laboratories. Ms. Slavin, of Amityville, started with H2M in 1980 as a chemist. For further information about H2M or H2M Labs feel free to call 631-756-8000 or visit the website at www.h2m.com.
Founded in 1933, H2M has grown to be one of the most respected professional consulting firms in the Northeast, providing full-service engineering, architecture, environmental services, and laboratory analysis. H2M consists of Holzmacher, McLendon & Murrell, P.C., H2M Labs, Inc., H2M Associates, Inc., H2M Architects & Engineers, Inc.; and has offices in Melville, New York and Totowa, New Jersey.
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