Soil Vapour

Effective Management Strategies

Based on the assessment findings, Caldera Environmental develops tailored management strategies to address soil vapour risks. Our approach includes:

  • Source Removal or Containment: Where feasible, we recommend the removal or containment of contamination sources to prevent further vapour generation.

  • Vapour Barriers and Venting Systems: Installing vapour barriers and venting systems can effectively prevent soil vapours from entering buildings. These systems are designed to intercept and safely vent vapours away from occupied spaces.

  • Active and Passive Mitigation Systems: Depending on the site conditions, we may implement active systems (e.g., sub-slab depressurisation) or passive systems (e.g., venting layers) to manage vapour intrusion.

Regulatory Compliance and Best Practices

Caldera Environmental adheres to the guidelines and best practices outlined in the CRC CARE National Remediation Framework Technology guide: Soil Vapour Remediation . This framework provides a nationally consistent approach to the remediation and management of contaminated sites in Australia. It emphasises the importance of a thorough site assessment, appropriate risk management, and the use of effective remediation technologies.

Importance of Professional Expertise

Engaging experienced and knowledgeable environmental consultants is crucial for effective soil vapour management. Caldera Environmental’s team brings a wealth of expertise, ensuring that every project is handled with precision and care. Our commitment to excellence and compliance ensures that we deliver results that are not only effective but also sustainable and legally sound.

Concerned about Soil Vapour risk?

Caldera Environmental provides the essential technical expertise for assessing and managing soil vapour and hazardous ground gases. Whether you own or operate a service station, landfill, industrial area, or anything in between, our team of highly experienced and technically minded project managers, environmental engineers, scientists, and technical specialists possess in-depth knowledge of soil vapour, vapour intrusion, and hazardous ground gas assessment and management.

Understanding Soil Vapour

Soil vapour refers to the gaseous phase of contaminants present in the soil, which can migrate through the soil and potentially enter buildings, posing health risks to occupants. Common sources of soil vapour include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents. When these contaminants are present in the soil or groundwater, they can volatilise and move through the unsaturated zone, leading to vapour intrusion into indoor air spaces.

Comprehensive Soil Vapour Assessment

Caldera Environmental follows a systematic approach to soil vapour assessment, ensuring thorough evaluation and effective management of potential risks. Our process includes:

  • Preliminary Site Investigation: We begin with a desktop study to review historical site data, identify potential sources of contamination, and assess the likelihood of soil vapour issues.

  • Soil Vapour Sampling and Analysis: Using specialised equipment, we collect soil vapour samples from various depths and locations across the site. These samples are analysed in accredited laboratories to determine the concentration and composition of vapours present.

  • Vapour Intrusion Modelling: Our experts use advanced modelling techniques to predict the movement of soil vapours and assess the potential for vapour intrusion into buildings. This helps in identifying areas of concern and planning appropriate mitigation measures.

Soil Vapour

Services Include:

  • Service station sub slab soil vapour investigations

  • Vapour intrusion monitoring

  • Sparge points

  • Risk assessments

  • Landfill monitoring

  • Attenuation monitoring

  • Soil vapour probe and soil vapour well installation