EPA Conducts Air Testing in Billings to Investigate Chemical Vapor Intrusion
EPA crews are conducting air testing inside buildings across Billings to detect traces of PCE and TCE chemicals from the local Superfund site, investigating potential vapor intrusion into structures.
Billings, MT, November 6, 2026 —
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) crews have begun conducting air quality tests within buildings throughout Billings, Montana. The objective of these tests is to identify the presence of specific chemicals, namely perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE).
These chemicals are associated with the local Superfund site, and the EPA’s investigation is focused on understanding the potential for vapor intrusion into residential and commercial structures. Vapor intrusion is a process where volatile chemicals in the soil or groundwater can move into the air inside buildings.
The testing involves sampling the air inside various buildings to detect and quantify any levels of PCE and TCE. The collected data will help the EPA assess the extent of the issue and determine if further action is necessary to protect public health. Details regarding the specific locations being tested, the timeline for the testing, or the outcomes of any preliminary tests were not provided. The name of the specific Superfund site in Billings was also not explicitly mentioned in the available information.
Perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE) are industrial solvents that have been commonly used in dry cleaning and metal degreasing. Exposure to these chemicals can pose health risks, depending on the concentration and duration of exposure. The EPA’s investigation aims to confirm whether these compounds are migrating from the Superfund site into indoor air spaces and to what degree.
The agency has not yet released information about the expected duration of the air testing or the next steps following the completion of the sampling. Residents and business owners in affected areas may be notified by the EPA if their properties are selected for testing, though this was not explicitly stated in the summary.
Story summarized from the original created by Hannah Pedeferri on www.ktvq.com, see more information here.
