U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released two technical guides to support assessment and mitigation activities at sites where vapor intrusion is an actual or potential concern.

The Technical Guide for Assessing and Mitigating the Vapor Intrusion Pathway from Subsurface Vapor Sources to Indoor Air applies to all sites being evaluated under federal land cleanup statutes by EPA, other federal agencies, state and tribal governments and brownfield grantees.  A companion document, the Technical Guide for Addressing Petroleum Vapor Intrusion at Leaking Underground Storage Tank Sites addresses any sites where vapor intrusion related to petroleum contamination from underground storage tanks is a potential concern. Both guides are applicable to residential and non-residential settings.

“These guides will promote national consistency in assessing and addressing the vapor intrusion human exposure pathway at contaminated sites to protect human health — particularly the most vulnerable,” says Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator for the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response.  “States, tribes and localities, in particular, will find the guides to be critical resources for identifying and considering key factors related to vapor intrusion assessments, risk management decisions and mitigation actions.”

National awareness and concern about vapor intrusion has grown over the last several decades.  At the same time, knowledge of and experience with assessment and mitigation of vapor intrusion has substantially increased, leading to heightened understanding of and improved approaches for evaluating and managing vapor intrusion.  Relying upon this enhanced knowledge and more extensive experience, the guides present EPA’s current recommendations for identifying, evaluating and managing vapor intrusion while providing flexible technical approaches to accommodate site-specific conditions and circumstances.

At sites where vapor intrusion poses a potential or actual hazard to occupants’ health or safety, exposures usually can be prevented or reduced through relatively simple actions such as changing building pressure and ventilation. In most cases, costs associated with addressing vapor intrusion can be very manageable, resulting in long-term benefits including improved public health and less costly response actions. These benefits are especially likely when actions are undertaken early.

Vapor intrusion refers to the migration of hazardous vapors from contaminated subsurface sources such as groundwater through soil into overlying building and structures. Exposure to these vapors by building occupants can potentially pose both acute and chronic health risks.  Vapor intrusion is a potential concern at any building—existing or planned—located near soil or groundwater contaminated with vapor-forming toxic chemicals.

Micah Vincent Named OMB Director

Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence recently accepted the resignation of Office of Management and Budget Director Chris Atkins, who has served in the role since January of 2013. His resignation is effective at close of business on June 26. Prior to this role, he served on the Governor’s campaign, as OMB General Counsel and Policy Director for Governor Mitch Daniels, and in a variety of other roles regarding fiscal and tax policy. His letter of resignation can be found attached.

“As Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Chris Atkins has served as a devoted steward of taxpayer dollars,” said Governor Pence. “He is a true public servant in every way, and his leadership and service to the people of Indiana will be greatly missed. We wish him the best as he begins this new chapter of his life.”

Atkins will be joining Mainstreet, where he will serve as Senior Vice President for Corporate Strategy and Analytics.

Micah Vincent, OMB General Counsel and Policy Director, will replace Atkins as OMB Director, effective June 27. Under the Pence Administration, Vincent previously served as Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Local Governance Finance. Prior to this role, he served as Assistant General Counsel and Policy Director for Utilities, Energy, and Higher Education in the Office of Governor Daniels; General Counsel for the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance; Director of Legislative Affairs and Policy for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture; and Staff Attorney for the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance. Vincent, of Whitestown, earned his undergraduate degree from Purdue University and his law degree from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.

“Micah Vincent has a strong background in state government and the proven leadership skills needed to take on the role of Director of Indiana’s Office of Management Budget,” said Pence. “I am confident he will continue to serve Hoosiers well in this new position and keep the Office of Management and Budget laser-focused on ensuring the proper use of taxpayer dollars and maintaining Indiana’s strong fiscal reputation.”

OMB oversees the following state agencies: Department of Local Government Finance, Indiana Finance Authority, Indiana Department of Revenue, Government Efficiency and Financial Planning, Indiana Board of Tax Review, Indiana Public Retirement System, Indiana Office of Technology, Office of State Based Initiatives, State Board of Accounts, and State Budget Agency.

Upon Atkins’ departure, the Indiana Finance Authority and Indiana Department of Revenue will report to State Budget Director Brian Bailey, whose current responsibilities include working with the legislature to develop and implement the state budget, evaluating fiscal and policy impacts of legislative proposals, serving as fiscal forecaster and fiscal policy advisor to the Governor, and keeping state expenditures in line with revenue collections.