1.1 Purpose—This practice covers standardized techniques for actively collecting soil gas samples from the vadose zone beneath or near dwellings and other buildings.

1.2 Objectives—Objectives guiding the development of this practice are: (1) to synthesize and put in writing good commercial and customary practice for active soil gas sampling, (2) to provide an industry standard for soil gas sampling performed in support of vapor intrusion evaluations that is practical and reasonable.

1.3 This practice allows a variety of techniques to be used for collecting soil gas samples because different techniques may offer certain advantages for specific applications. Three techniques are presented: sampling at discrete depths, sampling over a small screened interval, and sampling using permanent vapor monitoring wells.

1.4 Some of the recommendations require knowledge of pressure differential and tracer gas concentration measurements.

1.5 The values stated in SI units shall be regarded as standard. Other units are shown for information only.

1.6 This practice does not address requirements of any local, regional, state, provincial, or national regulations or guidance, or both, with respect to soil gas sampling. Users are cautioned that local, regional, state, provincial, or national guidance may impose specific requirements that differ from those of this practice.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.8 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM practice is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.

1.9 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.