OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Vapor Intrusion Pathway

The presence of volatile chemicals in contaminated soil or ground water offers the potential for chemical vapors to migrate through subsurface soils and/or preferential pathways (such as underground utilities) thereby impacting the indoor air quality of area buildings. Vapor intrusion refers to this migration of volatile chemicals from the subsurface into overlying buildings. The vapor intrusion information linked from this page represent specific guidance developed by the Department to assist in the investigation of the vapor intrusion pathway at contaminated sites.

The Vapor Intrusion Technical Guidance [pdf] Version 5.0, Posted May 2021

It is recommended that the user periodically refer to the NJDEP Vapor Intrusion web site for the latest information on the vapor intrusion pathway.

Vapor Intrusion Technical Information and Updates:

• Background Levels of Volatile Organic Chemicals in Homes: A Review of Recent Literature [pdf] Posted August 2016
• Installation Procedures for Permanent Sub-slab Probes [pdf] Posted August 2016
• Vapor Intrusion Template Letters & Results Tables Posted October 2021
• Vapor Intrusion Screening Levels and Indoor Air Remediation Standards Tables [pdf] Posted May 2021
• Comparison of 2013 and 2021 Vapor Intrusion Screening Levels and Indoor Air Remediation Standards
  • Comparison of 2013 and 2021 Ground Water Screening Levels [pdf] Posted May 2021
  • Comparison of 2013 and 2021 Soil Gas Screening Levels [pdf] Posted May 2021
  • Comparison of 2013 Indoor Air Screening Levels and 2021 Indoor Air Remediation Standards [pdf] Posted May 2021
  • Comparison of 2013 and 2021 Rapid Action Levels [pdf] Posted May 2021
• Vapor Intrusion Screening Levels Basis and Background [pdf] Posted May 2021
• Indoor Air Remediation Standards for the Vapor Intrusion Exposure Pathway Basis and Background [pdf] Posted May 2021
• Revised Instructions for the Johnson & Ettinger Spreadsheets – NJDEP Version Posted May 2021
• Important Information about Vapor Mitigation Systems and Power Outages [pdf] Posted 5 November 2012, Updated 5 March 2018
• List of Certified Labs

Analysis of naphthalene and 2-methylnaphthalene for vapor intrusion samples

The Department completed its evaluation of the provisions of N.J.A.C. 7:26E-2.1(c)3 and the Vapor Intrusion Technical Guidance (Version 3.1) as it relates to the analysis of naphthalene and 2-methylnaphthalene for vapor intrusion (VI) samples. Based on a continuing review of scientific information, effective July 16, 2013, the Department is requiring the following:

The analysis for 2-methylnaphthalene will not be required for VI samples collected during the investigation of kerosene, jet fuel, diesel fuel, fuel oil No. 2, and heavier petroleum products. The Department intends to update the Technical Requirements for Site Remediation to remove the requirement to analyze VI samples for 2-methylnaphthalene. Until the rule is updated, persons responsible can apply a variance pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26E-1.7 to not perform this analysis. The Department has already updated other posted web documents to reflect this change.

Naphthalene analysis will be required for VI samples collected during the investigation of kerosene, jet fuel, diesel fuel, fuel oil No. 2, and heavier petroleum products. In addition to USEPA Method TO-17, the Department will also allow the use of USEPA Method TO-15, NJDEP Method Low Level TO-15 and USEPA Method TO-13 A. Any laboratory performing the methods must have the applicable laboratory certifications and must have a demonstrated reporting limit of less than or equal to 3 ug/m3 consistent with N.J.A.C. 7:26E-2.1(a)3.

Vapor Intrusion Pathway Archive documents