Community Air Monitoring (CAMP) for New York Brownfield Cleanup Program Sites
ClearVU Environmental provides independent community air monitoring (CAMP) on New York State Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) sites and other NYSDEC remedial sites. We run VOC and PM10 dust monitoring at the perimeter of the work area during ground-intrusive work and demolition under the site's Community Air Monitoring Plan, following NYSDEC DER-10 and the NYSDOH Generic Community Air Monitoring Plan. You get real-time readings, clear daily records, and a prompt call when a reading reaches an action level.
Brownfield Cleanup Program and Environmental Restoration Program sites
DER-10 is NYSDEC's technical guidance for site investigation and remediation. It covers the Brownfield Cleanup Program as well as the Environmental Restoration Program and the State Superfund Program. Under DER-10, the work plan for intrusive activities includes a site-specific CAMP built on the NYSDOH Generic CAMP in Appendix 1A, with fugitive dust guidance in Appendix 1B.
The Generic CAMP is direct about when monitoring runs:
"Continuous monitoring will be required for all ground intrusive activities and during the demolition of contaminated or potentially contaminated structures. Ground intrusive activities include, but are not limited to, soil/waste excavation and handling, test pitting or trenching, and the installation of soil borings or monitoring wells."
For lighter tasks, it states: "Periodic monitoring for VOCs will be required during non-intrusive activities such as the collection of soil and sediment samples or the collection of groundwater samples from existing monitoring wells."
ClearVU covers both: continuous perimeter monitoring while excavation, trenching, drilling or demolition is underway, and periodic VOC readings during sampling days.
What we monitor
The site CAMP sets the parameters. On most Brownfield Cleanup Program sites, that means:
- VOCs. Total organic vapors measured with a photoionization detector (PID) at the downwind perimeter of the work area, with upwind readings at the start of each workday and periodically through the day to set background, especially when the wind direction changes.
- PM10 particulates. Real-time dust readings at upwind and downwind perimeter stations, averaged over 15-minute periods.
- Visual dust checks. Our technician watches for dust leaving the work area throughout the day, since a visible plume counts even when the meters read low.
- Wind direction. Tracked through the shift so stations stay upwind and downwind of the active work.
Some sites call for less. DER-10 notes that "sites known to be contaminated with heavy metals alone may only require particulate monitoring." We set up to match your plan.
Action levels and responses
The NYSDOH Generic CAMP in DER-10 Appendix 1A sets the following levels. VOC readings are compared as 15-minute running averages, and PM10 readings are integrated over 15 minutes or less. The 5 ppm VOC levels and both PM10 levels are measured above upwind background. The 25 ppm VOC shutdown level is written as a total reading at the perimeter of the work area. Your approved site-specific CAMP may set more stringent levels or added monitoring, and the approved plan is what the field team follows.
| Parameter | Trigger (DER-10 App. 1A) | DER-10 response (quoted) |
|---|---|---|
| VOCs | Above 5 ppm over background at the downwind perimeter (15-minute average) | "work activities must be temporarily halted and monitoring continued" |
| VOCs | Persisting above 5 ppm over background but below 25 ppm | "work activities must be halted, the source of vapors identified, corrective actions taken to abate emissions, and monitoring continued" Work can resume once the 15-minute average 200 feet downwind of the exclusion zone, or half the distance to the nearest potential receptor or residential/commercial structure if that is less (never less than 20 feet), is below 5 ppm over background. |
| VOCs | Above 25 ppm at the perimeter of the work area | "activities must be shutdown" |
| PM10 | 100 µg/m³ above upwind background (15-minute period), or visible dust leaving the work area | "dust suppression techniques must be employed" |
| PM10 | Above 150 µg/m³ over the upwind level after dust suppression | "work must be stopped and a re-evaluation of activities initiated" |
ClearVU's role is to measure, record and report. When a reading reaches an action level, we notify the site contacts named in the CAMP right away and log the reading, time, wind and response. Stop-work, dust suppression and corrective actions are decided under the site CAMP and the roles it assigns to the engineer and the contractor.
Daily records and reporting
DER-10 states that "All 15-minute readings must be recorded and be available for State (DEC and NYSDOH) personnel to review." For particulates, the Generic CAMP states that "All readings must be recorded and be available for State (DEC and NYSDOH) and County Health personnel to review."
A typical ClearVU daily record includes:
- 15-minute average readings for each station
- Daily calibration logs
- A station map showing upwind and downwind locations and wind direction
- Exceedance notes with the time, reading, notification and response
- A data package formatted for the engineer's daily report
Records are kept ready for DEC and NYSDOH review. Under the revised Part 375 rules, the remedial party's daily reports to DEC include a summary of CAMP findings, including exceedances, so our records are set up to feed that report. Each site plan sets its own reporting details, and we match its format.
Working with your engineer and contractor
ClearVU is an independent monitoring firm. We work for environmental engineering firms, brownfield developers, remediation and demolition contractors, and municipalities. We follow the approved site-specific CAMP and the site health and safety plan (HASP), and we coordinate start times, station locations and notification contacts with the engineer's field staff.
ClearVU does not perform remediation. That keeps the air data separate from the crew moving the soil.
Demolition jobs often need asbestos work too. The same local team handles pre-demolition asbestos surveys and asbestos project monitoring, which can simplify scheduling on sites that need both.
Service area
ClearVU is based in Queensbury and provides community air monitoring for sites in New York State, including the Capital Region, Saratoga County, the North Country and the rest of upstate New York. See our service areas and our full list of environmental testing services.
For a plain-English walkthrough of the plan, see Community Air Monitoring on New York Brownfield Cleanup Program Sites: What the CAMP Covers.
Send us your site CAMP for a scope of work or Call 518.832.9213.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers first. More on the FAQ page.
What is a Community Air Monitoring Plan (CAMP)?
A CAMP is a site plan for real-time VOC and dust monitoring at the downwind perimeter of the work area. Its purpose is to protect the downwind community, including neighbors and on-site workers not involved in the work, during intrusive work. It is not meant to set worker respiratory protection levels. Site CAMPs build on the NYSDOH Generic CAMP in DER-10 Appendix 1A, with fugitive dust guidance in Appendix 1B.
Do Brownfield Cleanup Program sites need community air monitoring?
DER-10 applies to the Brownfield Cleanup Program, and the NYSDOH Generic CAMP states that "Continuous monitoring will be required for all ground intrusive activities and during the demolition of contaminated or potentially contaminated structures." Your site-specific CAMP sets the details for your project.
What are the CAMP action levels?
Under DER-10 Appendix 1A, VOC readings above 5 ppm over background at the downwind perimeter (15-minute average) trigger a temporary halt, and readings above 25 ppm at the perimeter of the work area trigger a shutdown. For PM10, 100 µg/m³ above upwind calls for dust suppression, and more than 150 µg/m³ above upwind after suppression calls for stopping work. See the action level table above.
How is CAMP different from asbestos air monitoring?
CAMP covers VOCs and dust at the perimeter of the work area under NYSDEC DER-10 and the NYSDOH Generic CAMP. Asbestos project monitoring covers airborne fibers on asbestos projects under 12 NYCRR Part 56 (NYS Department of Labor Industrial Code Rule 56).
Who reviews CAMP data?
Readings are recorded and kept available for review by NYSDEC and NYSDOH. For dust readings, DER-10 also names County Health personnel.
Can you work from our engineer's site-specific CAMP?
Yes, and we recommend it. Send us the approved plan and we will scope stations, schedule and reporting to match it.
Why use upwind and downwind stations?
Upwind readings set the background. The 5 ppm VOC levels and the PM10 levels are measured as the downwind reading above that background, which separates site emissions from vapors or dust already in the air. The 25 ppm VOC shutdown level is a total reading at the perimeter of the work area.
Send us your site CAMP for a scope of work
Call 518.832.9213 or email support [at] cvenv [dot] com. Sample drop-off at our Queensbury office.