Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7503-2176

Date Available

8-20-2025

Year of Publication

2025

Document Type

Doctoral Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

College

Engineering

Department/School/Program

Civil Engineering

Faculty

Dr. Kelly G. Pennell

Abstract

Vapor intrusion, the migration of subsurface vapors into indoor air spaces, is an important source of indoor air contamination to consider at hazardous waste sites contaminated by volatile organic compounds (VOCs). There is considerable uncertainty and variability in the factors that influence vapor intrusion processes, which poses a significant challenge for decision making, despite advancements in vapor intrusion science. This dissertation consolidates knowledge from existing scientific advances and investigates scientific gaps associated with the vapor intrusion preferential pathway conceptual model (i.e. conduit vapor intrusion), associated with the vapor entry pathway into buildings via sewer systems. The overall goal of this research is to foster informed decision-making using scientific approaches to improve vapor intrusion site-specific risk assessments and enhance mitigation decisions, thereby ultimately improving indoor air quality and public health in vapor intrusion-impacted communities. To accomplish this goal, the three research objectives were conducted using mixed-methods approaches. Research Objective 1 established a systematic quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) framework to advance the technology readiness level of environmental real-time VOC monitoring instruments. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine a set of QA/QC metrics in the framework, such as precision, limit of detection (LOD), recovery, etc., which were demonstrated on the Autonomous Rugged Optical Multigas Analyzer for VOCs (AROMA-VOC). Research Objective 2 incorporated environmental field sampling, data analysis/interpretation, and the development of a social ecological system framework to foster informed decisions that support health-protective and cost-feasible mitigation approaches in a community impacted by conduit vapor intrusion. Research Objective 3 examined the potential for sewer vapor leakage through different types of indoor plumbing joints using laboratory testing and mathematical modeling. The model provides a systematic framework for evaluating the potential for conduit vapor intrusion occur in buildings as a function of indoor plumbing joint leakage. By providing systematic frameworks to aid decision making when assessing and mitigating vapor intrusion, this dissertation contributes to the development of more effective, science-based strategies to prevent and reduce vapor intrusion exposure risks.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2025.438

Funding Information

The project described was supported by Grant Number P42ES007380 (University of Kentucky Superfund Research Program) of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, or the National Institutes of Health.

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