How do summa canisters work?

A Summa canister is a stainless steel container that has had the internal surfaces specially passivated using a “Summa” process. This process combines an electropolishing step with a chemical deactivation step to produce a surface that is nearly chemically inert.

What is a summa process?

Although “SUMMA” really refers to the process used to apply a Nickel/Chromium oxide layer to the inside of the canister, the canisters themselves became known as SUMMA canisters.

How do you collect soil gas samples?

Commercially available soil gas sampling probes (hollow, ½” O.D. steel probes) can be driven to the desired depth using a power hammer (e.g., demolition hammer or Geoprobe). Soil gas samples can be drawn through the probe itself, or through Teflon tubing inserted through the probe and attached to the probe point.

What is meant by ambient air?

What do we mean by ambient air? Safeopedia explains that ambient air is atmospheric air in its natural state, not contaminated by air-borne pollutants. Ambient air is typically 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. The extra 1% is made up of a combination of carbon, helium, methane, argon and hydrogen.

What is soil vapor sampling?

Soil vapor sampling works by extracting and sampling the off-gases of contaminants in the soil. This is done through the construction of a soil vapor well. A soil vapor well will typically be installed using quarter-inch Teflon tubing with a vapor probe attached to the end.

What is a soil gas survey?

Soil-gas surveys are defined as the collection, analysis, and interpretation of soil-gas data. As such, soil-gas surveys provide information on the soil atmosphere in the vadose zone that can aid in assessing the presence, composition, source, and distribution of contaminants.

Is ambient temperature the same as room temperature?

Ambient vs room temperature While ambient temperature is the actual air temperature of an environment, room temperature refers to the range of temperatures that most people feel comfortable in. Ambient temperature is measured with a thermometer while room temperature is based more on feeling.

Where is the ambient air?

Ambient air is atmospheric air in its natural state. It is what we breathe when the atmosphere is not contaminated by airborne pollutants. The composition of ambient air varies depending on the elevation above sea level as well as human factors such as the level of pollution.

Why do VOCs rise at night?

Exposure to high levels of VOCs can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, and for some compounds, even cancer. During sleep, people likely inhale more VOCs because of poor bedroom ventilation and the close proximity of their nose and mouth to mattresses and bedding that emit the compounds.