February 19, 2009

Beware of toxic vapors lurking below

Photos courtesy of Farallon Consulting [enlarge]

A roof-mounted blower, part of a sub-slab depressurization system, discharges contaminated vapors into the air, rather than into a confined space.

IF YOU WORK with contaminated properties in any way, a new environmental issue is likely to change the way you do business in the coming years. Called vapor intrusion, the issue could create a niche market for contractors and require more testing of properties.

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Previous columns:

• Contractors need to do homework before bidding on federal projects, 02-12-2009
• Czech native still building homes here despite downturn: ‘We always come back', 02-05-2009
• Kent wants to see how cottage housing stacks up, 01-29-2009
• City studies two fixes for eroding seawall, 01-22-2009
• Contractors: How much do you know about LEED?, 01-15-2009
• Shoring contractor nails a book deal, 01-08-2009
• New program trains vets for construction jobs, 12-18-2008
• Historian lays out Tacoma buildings' past, 12-11-2008