Mission Statement

MassDEP has a list of values of typical concentrations of chemicals in indoor air.  Since this list was developed, additional sources of typical indoor air concentrations have become available.  These sources include published information from a number of states and EPA, as well as data collected by LSPs attempting to define/identify background conditions for indoor air under the MCP.  MassDEP undertook a review of more recent information on typical indoor air concentrations with the goal of updating its list of values.

To facilitate this initiative, the agency convened an Indoor Air Workgroup consisting of representatives from MassDEP's Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup and Office of Research and Standards, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, environmental and scientific professionals, and other interested stakeholders.  The Workgroup initially solicited available data sets of indoor air samples collected from buildings (preferably residential) using stainless steel (SUMMA) canisters and analyzed by means of appropriate and scientifically defensible EPA TO and MassDEP APH methodologies.  These data sets were used to supplement the sources of information referenced above.  The Workgroup met to evaluate the quality and usability of the indoor air data sets and to compare and contrast results, based upon site-specific conditions and the context of the data collection.  The Workgroup's findings will help MassDEP determine appropriate revisions related to typical indoor air concentrations. 

Meetings & Agendas (when available)

Workgroup Meeting

Thursday, March 8, 2007
In an effort to prepare for the initial Indoor Air Workgroup Meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 8, 2007, the following links to recent indoor air studies are provided for review:

NYS Guidance
The NY studies, 1997 and 2003, are presented at Appendix C - Background VOCs
NYS Web site

Memo: Availablilty of Background Data
Summary memo from an EPA contractor, listing several federal and state agencies that have either measured, collected, selected and/or used (i.e., compiled) indoor air background concentrations for evaluating the vapor intrusion pathway. This provides a bibliography that is relatively recent, along with a description of the various state/federal efforts.
IAVI Web site

Indoor Air was a discussion item for the January 24, 2008 Waste Site Cleanup Advisory Committee meeting.

Handouts/Publications

Indoor Air Draft Documents

6/27/08 - Draft Documents entitled "Indoor Air Threshold Values for the Evaluation of a Vapor Intrusion Pathway" and "Typical Indoor Air Concentrations" are avalable for review.  Please submit comments by August 15, 2008 to MassDEP, One Winter Street, Boston, MA 02108 Attn: Liz Callahan or elizabeth.j.callahan@state.ma.us
Web page 

Using Upper Percentile Values Within The Range Of Typical Indoor Air Concentrations At Residences and Schools

1/23/08 - DRAFT Technical Update
MSWord 138 KB | PDF 87 KB

Data summaries in support of the DRAFT Technical Update
MS Snapshot 222 KB | PDF 432 KB

Indoor Air Studies Spreadsheet

Throughout a series of meetings, the Indoor Air Workgroup has developed and applied selection criteria to an extensive list of indoor air studies. The attached spreadsheet presents the results of Workgroup discussions. Studies given higher priority for further consideration and review are listed first, followed by those given lower priority and finally, those rejected by the Workgroup for specific reasons.
MS Excel 326 KB | PDF 56 KB

Indoor Air Sample Information Form

Please use this form to submit data sets of indoor air samples consistent with the Mission Statement above by February 28, 2007. Completed forms should be emailed to nancy.fitzpatrick@state.ma.us or delivered to Nancy Fitzpatrick, MassDEP, 205B Lowell Street, Wilmington, MA 01887
MS Word 28 KB | PDF 23 KB