The campus Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) has implemented a supplemental air monitoring program to further ensure that the environment at the Richmond Field Station (RFS) is healthful and safe for workers and visitors. This air monitoring is in addition to the sampling required by the state Department of Toxics Substances Control (DTSC) related to the RFS site remediation project. EH&S consulted with, and received the endorsement of, the state Department of Health Services (DHS) on this supplemental air monitoring plan and the sampling methods used.
The supplemental air monitoring program commenced in early September with the collection of samples taken during non-remediation periods in order to establish a "baseline" assessment of the quality of air during periods when no site remediation was underway at either RFS or the adjacent "Zeneca" site. EH&S has received the analytical results of this sampling and this message summarizes the findings.
Samples collected from indoor and outdoor locations over the last month were analyzed for dust levels and for a variety of chemicals of concern including metals (arsenic, copper, mercury, nickel, and zinc), pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), volatile organic compounds, and hydrogen sulfide. The results show that each of these substances was either not detected, or detected only at concentrations below the regulatory workplace health limits.
EH&S is providing this data to the state Department of Health Services, who will provide a detailed review and assessment. Once available, the DHS review will be posted on this website.
EH&S will continue to collect air samples at various locations across the RFS throughout the year, including during remediation activities. All air monitoring results will be made available on this website. A final written report on the sampling will be completed at the end of the remediation season and posted on this same website.
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Alicia Bihler (725-2528, abihler@berkeley.edu) or Greg Haet (642-4848, gjhaet@berkeley.edu).