Emerging Issues

Vapor Intrusion

Certain chemicals that get spilled or discharged into the ground emit gases, or vapors, that can move through the soil.  These vapors may enter a house or building through cracks, holes, drains, and other small openings in a basement floor, wall, or foundation slab. This is called vapor intrusion.  It is similar to how radon, a naturally occurring gas, enters a house or building.

Common chemicals that have been found in vapor intrusion sites in Michigan include trichloroethylene (TCE, used often as a metal parts degreaser), tetrachloroethylene (PCE or Perc, used in dry cleaners), and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (BTEX, associated with gas stations).  The potential for health risks is dependent on the type and concentration of chemical or compound that is detected.

The Livingston County Health Department (LCHD) is working collaboratively with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to evaluate the potential for indoor air quality health risks in areas with historical groundwater contamination sites.