Director Ecosystems Processes Division
US EPA Office of Research and Development
Dr. Brian Schumacher is the Director of the Ecosystems Processes Division within the Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development. Brian was hired by the U.S. EPA in 1991 to take the lead and address ways to improve the sampling and analysis of soils contaminated with volatile organic compounds. This research has led to his natural progression into the arena of vapor intrusion. Dr. Schumacher has conducted research in numerous areas related to vapor intrusion including: soil gas sampling methodologies; spatial and temporal variability of VOCs; passive vapor intrusion sampling; influence of an installed mitigation system on the fluctuation of VOC and radon concentrations; preferential pathways; and looking for simple, efficient, and rapid methods to determine the potential for vapor intrusion into a home or building. His current research is focused on wrapping up a study on the effectiveness of a soil vapor extraction system in reducing/preventing vapor intrusion into neighboring buildings. Brian has also initiated a new study of vapor intrusion into large buildings that will examine spatial and temporal variability in a cold climate and subslab sampling techniques. An initial investigation of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) and their potential for vapor intrusion is also underway.