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Seaside Vapor Intrusion

 
Site Contact:
Richard Franklin
On-Scene Coordinator

(franklin.richard@epa.gov)

Site Location:
Seaside, OR 97138
 response.epa.gov/seasidevapor

On 02/05/2018, residents of a rental house in question and nearby neighbors, complained of noxious vapors in the neighborhood and upper respiratory health issues inside of their homes. Astoria Fire/Hazmat and Seaside Fire and Police responded to the rental home and also observed noxious odors. The renters of affected home were evacuated and sent to a nearby relative's home until an assessment and possible source of the odors could be identified.

EPA responded to the site at the request of ODEQ, and conducted a site assessment, air monitoring and air sampling activities inside, underneath, and outside the rental house, and in the neighborhood. Vapors inside and underneath the home were consistent with gasoline and automotive fluids. No chlorinated solvents were found. No other homes in the area were found to be affected. An adjacent residence is believed to be the source of the vapors from unauthorized car repair and parts washing activities, automotive fluids, gasoline, and oil spills. ODEQ will take the lead for subsequent assessment and removal actions.


View along Avenue K upgradient toward the west. View of the sideyard of the house where the vapor intrusion was reported. A crawlspace access hole is located behind the sheet of plywood and concrete block. Facing southeast. View of the laundry-room entranceway of the house where the vapor intrusion was reported. A crawlspace vent is located between the step and the vacuum. Facing southwest. START takes a benzene vapor measurement (using an UltraRAE 3000 with 9.8 eV lamp and a BEN-SEP tube) inside the residence where vapor intrusion was reported. Facing north and towards the front door in the living room. START collects a Tedlar bag vapor sample using a vacuum box and a low flow pump. Facing southwest towards the kitchen entrance inside the living room. START analyzes Tedlar bag vapor samples using a Hapsite portable GC/MS analyzer inside the Seattle Comms Truck. Facing northwest. Samples were collected inside the house and from three crawlspace access points. START collects a 6L vacuum cannister 12-hour sample in the backyard of the residence where vapor intrusion was reported. The canister was subsequently sent to an analytical laboratory for TO-15 analysis. Facing south. START collects a 6L vacuum cannister 12-hour sample in the child's bedroom of the residence where vapor intrusion was reported. The canister was subsequently sent to an analytical laboratory for TO-15 analysis. Facing south. START collects a 6L vacuum cannister 12-hour sample in the living room of the residence where vapor intrusion was reported. The canister was subsequently sent to an analytical laboratory for TO-15 analysis. Facing south. START investigates a stormwater outfall for visible contamination near the south terminus of S. Jackson Street. START investigates a Neawanna Creek confluence for visible contamination east of the eastern terminus of Avenue K. START investigates a Neawanna Creek confluence for visible contamination east of the eastern terminus of Avenues K and M. START investigates a Neawanna Creek confluence for visible contamination east of the eastern terminus of Avenue M. START investigates a runoff START investigates a runoff START investigates a runoff Approximate extent of former 500 gallon steel septic tank marked with blue pin-flags and white paint, as described by the owner of the residence at 911 Avenue K. Side of house with vapor intrusion. Area of former 500 gallon steel septic tank marked with blue pin-flags and white paint, and the natural drain field to the right.