As detailed on the U.S. Department of Energy's (U.S. DOE's) website and distributed by email blast, passive samplers are being used at the U.S. DOE’s Savannah River Site in Aiken, SC and are expected to save more than $2.5 million. ITRC’s work with passive samplers is highlighted in the U.S. DOE news article.
Passive samplers allow remediation engineers to monitor for contaminants in groundwater without well purging, a time-consuming practice of removing well water that often must be disposed as hazardous waste. Although lack of awareness and misconceptions hinder the use of passive sampling, there are many benefits. Passive sampling can produce quality groundwater data with lower costs because it does not require mechanical pumps, power sources, and other infrastructure and equipment needed for traditional sampling methods.
ITRC has developed guidance documents and training classes to educate environmental professionals on the appropriate use of passive samplers. All guidance documents and training course archives are available for free on the ITRC website. ITRC works with state environmental regulatory agencies and others to encourage appropriate use of passive samplers as a cost-effective means for collecting quality groundwater samples.Thousands of people across the nation have been trained on the use of passive samplers, and more than 20 state environmental agencies have used the ITRC’s passive sample guidance documents to improve groundwater monitoring.
ITRC thanks U.S. DOE for recognizing its efforts to increase the appropriate use of passive samplers across the nation.