When is Air Sampling Required

Air sampling is generally required when a child care center is located (or co-located) in a building that was used for dry cleaning, nail salon, petroleum storage, funeral services, or other potentially high hazard use group.  The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) should be contacted to determine the requirements for indoor air sampling, although oftentimes they leave professional judgment to the NJDOH Licensed Indoor Environmental Consultant (LIEC).

Sampling may also be required for NJDEP compliance if there’s a potential for vapor intrusion, such as volatile organics from a leaky underground storage tank.  In these cases, indoor air sampling is dictated by a Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP), generally after soil texture, groundwater contaminants, and sub-slab air sample data are collected.

In short, not all child care centers require indoor air sampling, and it’s best to check with the NJDOH, LIEC and a LSRP to determine requirements for a specific site.