Petroleum-Related Compounds Added to NYSDOH Soil Vapor Guidance

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has revised its soil vapor intrusion guidelines to incorporate 13 petroleum-related volatile organic compounds. This update introduces three new decision matrices (Matrix D, Matrix E, and Matrix F), supplementing the existing Matrices A, B, and C as outlined in the 2006 Guidance for Evaluating Soil Vapor Intrusion in the State of New York, which was last updated in 2017.

What You Need to Know

• Expanded Scope: The incorporation of these new matrices significantly broadens the spectrum of sites that need to pay attention to vapor intrusion, specifically extending its relevance to properties with petroleum contamination.
• Implications for Existing Sites: While the updated guidance is expected to be applied to future investigations, there is a possibility that the NYSDOH may use this as an opportunity to revisit and reassess previously closed sites or those currently in their site management phase.

Why Does it Matter?
Soil vapor intrusion poses potential health risks as volatile organic compounds migrate from underground sources into the air inside buildings. The NYSDOH’s enhanced guidelines provide guidance on recommended remedial actions based on the concentrations of specific volatile organic compounds found within and beneath a building. The compounds added include:

• Matrix D: Benzene, Ethylbenzene, Naphthalene, Cyclohexane, Isooctane, 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene, o-Xylene
• Matrix E: m-Xylene, p-Xylene, Heptane, Hexane
• Matrix F: Toluene

These additional compounds can increase both the time and costs associated with investigation and remediation at a site.

How Roux Can Help
If you have a site within a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), New York City Office of Environmental Remediation (NYCOER), or New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) regulatory program, or if you are considering acquiring a contaminated property and wish to understand the impact of vapor intrusion and the expanded guidance on risk, Roux is ready to assist. We can assess available data and provide insight on how the new matrices may affect your specific site. Reach out to the Roux team using the link below.