What are the specifics of the field study performed by the Department?
The EPH-TPH Field Study was conducted between July and August 2007. Soil samples were collected from 14 different residential sites located throughout New Jersey, to ensure geographic and geologic variability. At each site one sample was collected near the underground storage tank (UST) in an area with free or residual product and one sample from the perimeter of the excavation. The perimeter sample was generally collected some distance away from the UST at a location with indications of contamination (odors and sheen) but no free product. All samples were analyzed using both Method 418.1(TPH data) and the EPH Method (EPH data). Objectives of the EPH-TPH Field Study included empirically generating No. 2 fuel oil composition information; determining the ability of the EPH Method to analyze actual soil samples contaminated with No. 2 fuel oil; determining whether the two methods (EPH and 418.1) yielded comparable results; and determining whether there is a compositional difference betwee
