Tool for sampling soil containing volatile organic compound

The invention is an improvement in a soil sampling tool of the type having a handle and a cylindrical sampling barrel with an aperture in the upper end. An ejector extends through the aperture and is attached to a plunger for urging the soil sample out of the barrel. In the improvement, the ejector and aperture define an annular clearance between them so that when a soil sample is taken (and the plunger thereby urged toward the barrel upper end), air can exhaust from the barrel. The plunger includes a boss which extends into and seals the aperture when the plunger is at or near its uppermost position. In that way, vapors of volatile organic compounds are prevented from escaping through the aperture. The tool also includes a cap for sealing the lower end of the barrel so that such vapors cannot escape from the barrel. The improved tool is particularly useful for taking and later analyzing soil samples relating to possible leaking underground storage tanks which contain or have contained petroleum distillates, e.g., gasoline or kerosene.