EPA Expands Chemical Vapor Testing in Downtown Billings
Federal officials are testing 81 additional buildings for potential vapor intrusion from a local Superfund site.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Home Cleaning
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The Environmental Protection Agency is launching a new phase of vapor testing at 81 buildings in downtown Billings to detect PCE and TCE chemical infiltration. The move follows ongoing concerns regarding a chemical plume originating from a contaminated property at 715 Central Avenue.
Why it matters
Chemical vapors from the decades-old Superfund site continue to potentially enter local buildings through cracks in basement floors or utility conduits. The EPA aims to identify where these harmful gases are accumulating to protect residents and property occupants.
The EPA previously excavated 3,600 tons of contaminated dirt from the 715 Central Avenue site twenty years ago. Agencies are now targeting 81 properties, including the Moss Mansion, for new vapor intrusion assessments.
The players
Environmental Protection Agency
This federal agency is responsible for the oversight and remediation of the Superfund site in Billings.
Moss Mansion
This historic local landmark is among the 81 structures identified by the EPA for new vapor testing.
The details
Contractors drill through basement floors to install ports for collecting trapped gases that travel from the contaminated groundwater plume. The agency continues to detect unsafe chemical levels at the original source site, necessitating this expanded monitoring of downtown infrastructure.
Timeline
Twenty years ago, the EPA excavated 3,600 tons of soil from the source site.
In June 2026, the EPA announced plans to install mitigation systems in 400 homes.
In November 2026, the EPA returns to the area with a mobile laboratory for vapor measurements.
The agency anticipates issuing a formal cleanup document by 2028.
Culture Shift
This response to ongoing contamination follows the long-term remediation standards established by the federal Superfund program. It marks a shift from historical soil excavation to the current focus on mitigating sub-surface vapor threats in urban areas.
Occupants of the 81 identified buildings should expect contact from federal contractors regarding the installation of testing ports in their basements. Residents in the downtown area may see mobile laboratory units working on-site throughout the coming week.
The takeaway
Maintaining air quality in areas with known chemical history requires active monitoring and the installation of specialized mitigation hardware. Property owners are encouraged to cooperate with federal testing efforts to ensure long-term safety in their living and working spaces.
What happens next
The EPA is scheduled to return to the area next week with a mobile laboratory to conduct vapor measurement testing.
Further reading
Learn more about maintaining safe indoor environments in Billings Home Cleaning.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Q2 News (KTVQ).
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