Overview of Joe Berlin's presentation at the 2018 AEHS Foundation Conference on Soil, Water, Energy and Air.

1. Grand Rapids, MI
Joseph Berlin, PE, QC, CP
Data Skewing and Validity – Common Field Methods
Influence Exposure, Risk and Remedy

2. Overview
• BLDI is completing a 3-year research project on the
effects of SKEWED soil sampling practices
• SKEWED, purposely or not, soil sampling practices are
common and greatly influence laboratory results
• SKEWED results are found to underreport volatile
organic compounds by up to 95%
• SKEWED sampling practices are utilized by at least
30% of consultants, especially large, national consultants
• Consider
• SKEWED soil sampling shows “little to no” impact
• Later, vapor intrusion study finds problems
• Why? Look at HOW samples were collected
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Copyright, BLDI, Inc. 2018, all rights reserved.

3. Research Results: Best “A” to SKEWED “B” Methods
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Compound Avg.
Loss
Ranges of Losses
Method A/B
Benzene 59% 23% to 98%
Toluene 46% 4% to 97%
Ethylbenzene 51% 9% to 90%
Xylenes 54% 6% to 92%
Trimethylbenzenes 41% 8% to 81%
Total VOC Contaminant
Mass
49% 3% to 97%
Key Points from BLDI Research:
• Skewed Sampling Methods Greatly Effect Outcome
• The SKEWED data can indicate “clean” only later to find
conditions are “dirty/contaminated” (e.g. after sale)
Copyright, BLDI, Inc. 2018, all rights reserved.

4. In Closing
• Field methods, especially for soil sample
collection, greatly impact results
• Skewed field sample collection methods are
common
• Verify field sample collection methods
• Loss of light ends is significant
• Forensic interpretation can be unintentionally
highly skewed
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Copyright, BLDI, Inc. 2018, all rights reserved.

5. Follow Up
If you have any questions or comments please contact Joseph
“Joe” Berlin, PE, EP, CP (jberlin@bldi.com) at 616-459-3737.
If you wish a complete version of this slide presentation please
contact Marty Janowiak (martyj@bldi.com) at 616-459-3737.
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Copyright, BLDI, Inc. 2018, all rights reserved.

6. Speaker Background – Joseph Berlin, PE, QC, CP
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Mr. Berlin’s practice focuses on the development and
implementation of forensic environmental investigations,
including source and origin, migration scenarios, data validity
determinations and environmental liability and reserve
estimates. Mr. Berlin is actively involved in data collection
and oversite.
Mr. Berlin is a registered Professional Engineer in several
states, a Certified Professional (Ohio VAP#351) and a member
of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers. Mr. Berlin has
BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering, MBA, plus further
graduate work in industrial hygiene and accounting. Mr.
Berlin’s career spans over 25 years and has run from DOD
“secret” projects to cases with Fortune 500 oil companies to
insurance claims for mom-and-pop gas stations.
Copyright, BLDI, Inc. 2018, all rights reserved.