title: Comparison of the Johnson-Ettinger vapor intrusion screening model predictions with full three-dimensional model results.
abstract: The Johnson-Ettinger vapor intrusion model (J-E model) is the most widely used screening tool for evaluating vapor intrusion potential because of its simplicity and convenience of use. Since its introduction about twenty years ago, the J-E model has become a cornerstone in guidance related to the potential for significant vapor intrusion-related exposures. A few papers have been published that claim it is a conservative predictor of exposure, but there has not been a systematic comparison in the open literature of the J-E model predictions with the results of more complete full three-dimensional descriptions of the phenomenon. In this paper, predictions from a three-dimensional model of vapor intrusion, based upon finite element calculations of homogeneous soil scenarios, are directly compared with the results of the J-E model. These results suggest that there are conditions under which the J-E model predictions might be quite reasonable but that there are also others in which the predictions are low as well as high. Some small modifications to the J-E model are also suggested that can bring its predictions into excellent agreement with those of the much more elaborate 3-D models, in some specific cases of homogeneous soils. Finally, both models were compared with actual field data.
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States.
authors.forename: Yijun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Kelly G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Pennell
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Suuberg
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005740:Gases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D008956:Models, Chemical; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D005740:Gases; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants