Starting the week of Dec. 25, 2017, U.S. EPA will continue its vapor intrusion investigation in downtown Bellaire, Ohio, to determine whether indoor air at residences and other buildings is affected by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in groundwater. EPA is conducting follow up sub-slab and indoor air sampling at the buildings where EPA conducted sampling during the summer. Those sample results have been provided to property owners.
 
For more information, please visit: https://response.epa.gov/bellairewellfieldsite.
 
If residents have questions, they can contact Ruth Muhtsun, community involvement coordinator, at 312-886-6595 or muhtsun.ruth@epa.gov.
 
For health-related questions, please contact the Belmont County Health Department, the Ohio Department of Health or the Agency on Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
 
For questions related to groundwater, drinking water or the history of the site, please contact Ohio EPA.

U.S. EPA is conducting a vapor intrusion investigation in downtown Bellaire, Ohio, to determine whether indoor air at residences and other buildings is affected by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in groundwater. EPA is conducting indoor air sampling this week.

U.S. EPA began the vapor intrusion investigation after a groundwater investigation found elevated levels of PCE in groundwater. Vapors from VOCs can move upward through the ground and enter buildings where people can be exposed. To determine whether VOC vapors are entering buildings at levels of concern, U.S. EPA will be collecting air samples from buildings in downtown Bellaire. Samples will be analyzed for a variety of VOCs, including tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and compared to health-based screening levels. The sample results will be shared with residents and with public health officials from the Belmont County Health Department, Ohio Department of Health, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. 

Over the coming weeks, U.S. EPA will attempt to collect air samples at additional buildings located within the area encircled by: 36th Street to the north, Ohio Highway 7 to the east, 31st Street to the south, and the railroad tracks/Noble Street to the west. This investigation area may be adjusted as new information becomes available. During the next few weeks, U.S. EPA will mail information packets to the buildings in the study area. The packets will include: a fact sheet, a map of the investigation area, a voluntary agreement to allow the U.S. EPA to collect air samples, and a stamped return envelope. After receiving access agreements, U.S. EPA will contact residents and property owners to schedule sampling. 

More information, including a blank access agreement and health fact sheets related to vapor intrusion and VOCs, can be found at https://response.epa.gov/bellairewellfieldsite.

If residents have questions, they can contact Ruth Muhtsun, community involvement coordinator, at 312-886-6595 or muhtsun.ruth@epa.gov.

Additional information for the reporter:

For health-related questions, please contact the Belmont County Health Department, the Ohio Department of Health or the Agency on Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

For questions related to groundwater, drinking water or the history of the site, please contact Ohio EPA.

On Tuesday, June 20, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Belmont Department of Health will knock on doors of public and private structures in the downtown area of the Village of Bellaire. As part of a vapor intrusion investigation, EPA will ask owners and tenants to sign access agreements to allow EPA to test the indoor air and air under the foundation of their homes for volatile organic compounds.

Copies of access agreements and additional information about the vapor intrusion investigation are on EPA’s website. EPA also will provide fact sheets explaining what vapor intrusion is and what residents can do to protect themselves.

For more information, please visit response.epa.gov/bellairewellfieldsite.