Discussions > Environmental Due Diligence

Life expectancy of dry cleaner chemicals (and specifically tetrachloroethylene) (13 Comments)

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:26:55 +0000

Does anyone know of any studies regarding the ultimate life expectancy of dry cleaning chemicals and of course tetrachloroethylene? It has always been my policy that all on-site dry cleaning operations are a REC except for a very few select physical scenarios. We come across many historical dry cleaners that stopped operations in the late 60s-early 1970s and are now entering the 40+ year gap since the source was active and the question is: will there ever be a time frame when a historic dry cleaner is no longer an issue or has there not been evidence yet that provides that answer.

Asphalt recycling under a building (11 Comments)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:28:47 +0000

Topic by T_Nowicki

A contractor at a colleague's project site want to reuse the asphalt from the site by crushing it and using it as fill. The crushed asphalt would then be covered by 2 ft of crushed rock to provide the foundation for a building. We're leaning towards saying this is a really bad idea but don't have any basis for that statement. Does anyone have any references on whether this is good or bad? The recycling people refer me to the solid waste people who refer me back.

Asphalt gets recycled into road base and new asphalt all the time but has to be disposed of as solid waste. Crushed concrete gets reused as fill for building foundations.

Farm Ag Chemicals Not a REC - Phase II Anyway? (29 Comments)

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:36:04 +0000

Topic by Dorsey

I'm doing a PI ESA on a corn field that will be developed for a new elementary school. There are no buildings or other structures on the property. There have never been any non-agricultural uses of the property, and only farm and residential uses of adjoining properties. Certainly there have been applications of pesticides and herbicides on the field, but there is no evidence of improper applications or spills. I would not call the proper application of agricultural chemicals in accordance with their intended uses to be a REC. However, with the intended future use as an elementary school, I feel like I should recommend soil sampling to provide a documented assessment of the levels of pesticides and herbicides. Has anyone recommended Phase II sampling even if no RECs were identified? Or, are there opinions that even the proper application of agricultural chemicals would be a REC in this case because of the future intended use of the property?

Rail road spurs and lines, REC? (8 Comments)

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:56:51 +0000

Topic by ddudack

It is not uncommon for commercial or industrial parcels to have railroad spurs, and in some instances, historic rail lines run across parcels. I would be interested in knowing if folks are identifing these as RECs due to the potential for the presence of residual concentrations of petroleum products and pesticides/herbicides. Thanks!

FHA Phase I ESA (4 Comments)

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:57:31 +0000

Topic by Martin

Is anyone familiar with a special reliance form for FHA status approval?

Transaction Screening Report (1 Comment)

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:31:48 +0000

Topic by Kolaventi

Hello,

I completed my site visit and got filled in Transaction screening questionnaire as part of Transaction Screening Report that need to be submitted by our company.

I am wondering how to write a report. Unfortunately our company did not have any prior Transcation Reports to follow the format. Even I could not find any sample reports online.

If any of you guys have sample ASTM E 1528-06 Transaction Screening Report, Please provide me masking the confidential information.

Thanks

Abandoned Oil Well In Allegheny County PA (8 Comments)

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:25:39 +0000

Topic by John M. Prenosil

There is an abandoned oil well on a parcel of property we are researching in Allegheny County PA. The well does not show up on available PA DEP GIS abandoned/capped well datalayers. I understand the PA DEP will makes a determination if a well is considered orphaned or not. My question is: How do you address this issue if you do not yet own the parcel. I have never dealt with this issue and would apprecaite some guidance. Thanks in advance.

Our email server is also down. Please respond to jmprenosil@gmail.com in the interim Thank you.

Do I qualify as an EP? (8 Comments)

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:50:55 +0000

Topic by Jim

I work for a non-profit environmental organization that recently purchased a property that needs an environmental audit performed and the ASTM's ESA or EPA's AAI are listed as acceptable environmental audits. It's going to be submitted to the foundation funding the land acquisition. My question is whether or not I would qualify as an EP under the standard. I have a BS in Geology with 10 years experience performing water quality assessments, compiling permits, managing environmental projects, and working with municipalities to retrieve necessary documentation. My 10 years however does not specifically include working on any type of Phase I ESA or other environmental due diligence work. I have taken some classes through Commonground University (Phase I ESA, and Envt Due Dilegence), so I am now familiar with the standard and the process, but I’m still uncertain whether I’m technically considered and EP. Any thoughts?

Sampling around In-Ground Hydraulic Lifts ? (9 Comments)

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:34:15 +0000

Topic by John@SDC

Content

We recently completed a Phase I ESA for a gas station property with an auto repair shop. The shop has two in-ground hydraulic lifts that are estimated to be installed in the mid '60s. Depth to ground water is around 12' bgs. Due to the age of the lifts we recommended a subsurface investigation. I was curious as to what kind of scope of work the Commonground members would find most appropriate in this case.

I was thinking a direct push boring near each lift with samples collected at around 10' and 15' with analysis for TPH, BTEX and PCBs.

I would love to hear your thoughts! Attached is a pic.

Image

Fumigation Business (3 Comments)

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:55:41 +0000

Topic by Benjamin M

I'm doing phase I on a site that has a prior use as fumigation buisness from around 1976-2001 (identified from criss cross directories). It's currently a vacant lot and gives no indication of the past operations that took place onsite.

Are any of you aware of any potential environmental concerns posed by fumigators?

I know they use toxic gasses (bromomethane among others), but dont think simply storing gasses onsite could have had much of a lasting impact on a property.

Thanks.