Whiteman Air Force Base – Vapor Intrusion Study at Site SS030

Location: Knob Noster, Missouri

Whiteman Air Force Base – Vapor Intrusion Study at Site SS030

Location: Knob Noster, Missouri

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Kansas City District

Overview:

  • Vapor intrusion investigation
  • Groundwater monitoring well installation and sampling
  • Indoor air, subslab and ambient air sampling
  • Human health risk assessment

Description:

Whiteman Air Force Base is an active United States Air Force Base located in Knob Knoster, MO, which lies 70 miles east of Kansas City, MO. The vapor intrusion study is being conducted to evaluate the VI pathway due to a chlorinated solvent groundwater plume associated with Site SS030 within the Air Force Base. Chlorinated solvents and groundwater VOC contamination at the site are believed to have originated from a vehicle maintenance facility. The overall objective for this project is to obtain site closure at SS030 while following the regulatory requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compentsation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Avatar Environmental prepared work plans prior to sampling which included the Uniform Federal Policy Quality Assurance Project Plan (UFP-QAPP).

Whiteman Air Force Base – Vapor Intrusion Study at Site SS030
Whiteman Air Force Base – Vapor Intrusion Study at Site SS030
Whiteman Air Force Base – Vapor Intrusion Study at Site SS030
Whiteman Air Force Base – Vapor Intrusion Study at Site SS030

In an effort to close site SS030, Avatar conducted a three-phase field investigation to determine the extent of the contamination. The three-phases of the investigation were conducted during different seasons in order to capture the differing HVAC cycles and environmental conditions. Each sampling event included groundwater, indoor air, outdoor ambient air, and subslab vapor samples. A total of 8 shallow groundwater monitoring wells were sampled for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), four of these monitoring wells were newly installed by Avatar personnel prior to the first phase of sampling. Air sampling was performed at three buildings at the site within the footprint of the SS030 groundwater plume. Subslab vapor samples were obtained using 10 minute SUMMA® vacuum cannisters, whereas indoor and ambient air samples were collected using 10 hour SUMMA® vacuum cannisters.

Groundwater and VI data collected during the investigations were compared to VI screening levels (VISL) developed using the USEPA VISL calculator. A Human Health Risk Assessment is being performed to estimate the potential risks to human receptors potentially exposed based on the current and reasonably anticipated future uses of the Site.