Organic Vapors at Underground Gasoline Tank Removal Sites

Abstract

Abstract Leaking underground fuel storage tanks are a major public health concern of the 1980s. The discovery of these leaking tanks and the potential for groundwater contamination prompted legislation which requires monitoring of existing tanks and removal of those tanks found leaking. In San Diego County, the removal of an underground storage tank is witnessed by a Hazardous Materials Specialist (HMS). The HMS and the tank contractor (TC) who actually conducts the tank removal are both subject to exposure to organic vapors during this work activity. To investigate the organic vapors at gasoline tank removal sites, breathing zone and general air samples are collected on large (400/200 mg) charcoal tubes. Breathing zone samples were collected for both HMSs and TCs. General air samples were collected upwind and downwind from the site, three meters deep in the excavation and directly above the excavation at grade. Five gasoline tank removal sites were sampled. The samples were analyzed for pentane, n-hexane...