19 April 2017

Todd N. Creamer, P.G. – Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.; Portsmouth, New Hampshire [email protected], Telephone: (603) 205-8054

Title:

Management Strategy for Short-term Exposure to Trichloroethylene at Vapor Intrusion Sites

Abstract:

In 2011, USEPA released a revised toxicological profile for trichloroethylene (TCE), which cited studies linking TCE exposure to health effects previously not considered in the development of numeric toxicity criteria. One study linked TCE exposure to heart defects in the developing fetus of rodents. While USEPA acknowledges there are uncertainties to this study, the potential for birth defects to occur from a short exposure period (days) has prompted several regulatory agencies to develop short-term action levels for TCE in indoor air and require indoor air sampling and mitigation with rapid turn-around times.

The author will summarize the various positions of more than two dozen regulatory agencies that have developed in response to the USEPA’s position. Regulatory positions for state and USEPA Regional guidelines range from “urgent,” “accelerated,” and “imminent hazard” responses to expressions of TCE concentration that are “safe for people to breathe…” The author will then review strategies for exposure assessment, risk communication and mitigation that can be used to achieve confident outcomes on short timelines, and particularly in response to the USEPA’s position on TCE acute toxicological effects.

Biography:

Todd Creamer is a Principal Geologist based in New Hampshire with 20 years of experience in environmental consulting, surface water hydrology, and oil & natural gas exploration and production. He has degrees in Geology from the University of Rochester and North Carolina State University. Go WolfPack!

Todd has directed vapor intrusion investigations in a wide range of residential, commercial, industrial and military settings from single buildings to neighborhoods and campuses, including a recently-completed investigation involving more than 300 structures at Fort Gillem near Atlanta, Georgia. He has advanced the national discussion on vapor intrusion through participation in applied research and publication, frequent public presentations on improving data quality and investigation outcomes, and training for attorneys, industry and regulatory bodies. He sits on the steering committee directing Geosyntec’s 100-person, international vapor intrusion practice.