The EDR dry cleaner directory is convenient one-stop shopping to determine if dry cleaner was listed as having been located at the site. Obviously, the information does not indicate if it was a drop-off or if on-site cleaning operations were conducted, or even if PERC or some other chemical was used. And with the average dry cleaner operating for about three years before changing management, it is possible that the database may have missed a couple of operators. Alternatively, the consultant go do its own research at the library or other local sources of information if there is sufficient time.    

Lets say you do a Phase 1 on a shopping center built in 1975.  You find city directories dating back to 1985 at the library.  Nothing significant shows up in building records.  The EDR Drycleaner database shows a listing for your property with "John's Dry Cleaner" in 1975 and 1980.  I guess you would just ignore that information because you think it's trivial and there are sometimes errors in that database? 

I'm not sure if you really believe the things you are saying, or if you just get a kick out of being a troll and hiding behind your anonymity.  You are making a bit of a fool out of yourself.

Hey Punisher, there are other EPs here with 20 years of Phase I experience that have enountered dry cleaning leaksites.  Due to the nature of the contaminant, they can be dramatically more expensive to clean-up than petroleum leaksites, and in many cases there are no reimbursement pools available.  Some of us find the database a helpful preliminary screening tool.  If your not satisfied with EDRs explanation, hire another d-base company that better suits your self-serving needs.  Some EPs find it better to be aware of potential issues and then explain them away if they're false positives.  Seems better than to miss significant "material threats" to a site.  The Phase I is designed to protect the buyer and you're unwillingness to consider a Phase II because it costs a few grand is not protective of the financial and liability risks of the borrower, it just gives you a false sense of your own decision making abilities.  Do you really have a crystal ball that allows you to decide whether a leak has occurred?  Can I borrow it.

"..., but I helped write the original doc, and I know the intent." 

Per your comments on the BER discussion thread.

I find it hard to believe anyone as obnoxious as you've proven to be in your comments ever played a role in developing national guidelines.  That would suggest that you were actually able to sit in a room and listen to the opinions of other professionals without making childish attacks on everyone with a different opinion.  It must have been around the same time you invented the internet?  Maybe you should tell everyone here who you are so that we can all be amazed.