1.1 Purpose—This practice covers standardized techniques for passively collecting soil gas samples from the vadose zone and is to be used in conjunction with Guide D5314.

1.2 Objectives—Objectives guiding the development of this practice are: (1) to synthesize and put in writing good commercial and customary practice for conducting passive soil gas sampling, (2) to ensure that the process for collecting and analyzing passive soil gas samples is practical and reasonable, and (3) to provide standard guidance for passive soil gas sampling performed in support of source identification, spatial variability/extent determinations, site assessment, site monitoring, and vapor intrusion investigations.

1.3 This practice does not address requirements of any federal, state, or local regulations or guidance or both with respect to soil gas sampling. Users are cautioned that federal, state, and local guidance may impose specific requirements that differ from those of this practice.

1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.

1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.