Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP)

Eurofins Environment Testing understands the chemistry behind Manufactured Gas Plants with over 60 years of combined experience.

We offer all of the required test methods for water, soil, sediment and air on a very fast turnaround time. Time sensitive decisions are required for the disposal of excavated soil, the use of clean backfill, to optimize the use of heavy equipment and to demonstrate that general ambient air quality is acceptable. Eurofins uses local courier services for the delivery of sampling equipment and to pick up samples, and provides data in near real time through MyEOL, our 24/7 on-line data portal.

• Experts in the Analyses of Soil, Groundwater & Sediment for BTEX, PAH and metals
• Experienced with both the identification and characterization of NAPL and DNAPL sites
• Forerunner in perimeter air testing for BTEX, PAHs and particulate matter using TO15, TO13 and PM10 methodologies
• Developed and tested passive air analysis technology using newly promulgated Method 325 utilizing a passive sorbent tube
• Experts in trace & speciated metal testing in soils, sediment and groundwater

Manufactured gas plant (MGP) operations began in the United States in the late 1800s and ceased operations in the 1950s. Manufactured gas was produced locally from coal, coal/oil mixtures, or from petroleum. It served as a community’s primary source of gas fuel, before the development of natural gas systems, for heating, lighting and cooking. There were an estimated 50,000 manufactured gas plants that operated in the United States between the 1800s and the 1950s.

MGPs were often located along a river at the edge of a town or city. Today, legacy MGP sites are often surrounded by parks, residential housing and/or industry. MGP structures and equipment were generally dismantled decades ago but the legacy environmental issues associated with coal tar and other byproducts may remain. The chemicals of concern (COC) related to MGP operations include benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals such as lead and mercury, and Cyanide, as well as Particulate Matter (PM). Also, identification and characterization of Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (LNAPL) and Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (DNAPL) can impact site evaluation and choice of remedy.

Utilities generally maintain ownership of the sites since today’s large utility companies formed over the years through the merger of many small, local gas companies. 

Perimeter air monitoring is required to measure chemicals during the clean-up of former manufactured gas plant sites released during soil of excavation and removal. During the course of the remediation project, air monitoring is required continuously, generating a large number of EPA TO-15, TO-13A and PM10 filter samples.