Background sources of benzene complicate indoor air sampling at a petroleum release site

摘要

Environmental Strategies Corporation (ESC) used an indoor air-monitoring program to evaluate the potential transport of vapors from an underground release of gasoline and fuel oil into nearby residences. The results identified one home with elevated levels of benzene from vehicles and gasoline-powered equipment stored in an attached garage. The study used inexpensive passive sampling badges that evaluate ambient air conditions over one to two-week periods. The extended sampling period dampens the typical fluctuations observed in indoor concentrations of volatile compounds, which leads to increased regulatory acceptance. This case study confirms that residences can be ephemeral sampling environments for benzene as residents seasonally add and remove various consumer sources of gasoline. Using an inexpensive sampling technology, however, allowed multiple sampling events, which enabled separating the background sources of benzene from benzene due to environmental releases.