Site Assessment Services

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment | Phase II Environmental Site Assessment

New state and federal regulations concerning hazardous material and the liability and health risks associated with these materials, have forced buyers, sellers, mortgage companies, lending institutions, and insurance companies to routinely require environmental assessments. These evaluations are normally required before loan and mortgage applications and insurance coverage are considered on commercial properties.

Alpha Environmental Sciences, Inc. conducts Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESA). These evaluations can be designed to meet the specific needs of our clients; therefore, the evaluations may be preliminary and/or extensive.

In many instances, a Phase I evaluation will confirm the potential for environmental hazards on a site or demonstrate that a site is clean based on the available information. The client has the option to continue the investigation with a Phase II evaluation when specific characterization of the environmental problem is necessary.

Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) > more detail*

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) are conducted in order to learn about a property's past use, the environmental conditions at the site and adjoining sites, and the likely presence of hazardous substances. A Phase I ESA does not involve sampling or laboratory analysis.

Alpha Environmental Sciences, Inc. conducts and prepares reports in accordance with
ASTM E 1527-05, Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments. We assess residential properties, light commercial, office parks and multi-storied buildings, operating or closed industrial facilities, Brownfields and undeveloped land. Our team consists of experienced Registered Environmental Property Assessors (REPA), Professional Geologists and Professional Engineers who can respond immediately to your assessment needs regardless of the size or location of the site.

Our assessors have been trained and certified to the latest EPA, 40 CFR Part 312, Standards and Practices for All Appropriate Inquires; Final Rule.

See below for more detail*about conducting a Phase I ESA.

[ Top ]

Phase II Environmental Site Assessment > more detail**

A Phase II ESA is conducted to confirm the presence of known or suspected contamination; if present or past land uses may have caused contamination; or contaminant sources on adjacent land parcels may have resulted in the release or migration of contaminants onto the property under investigation. A Phase II ESA always involves the collection and analysis of samples.

Our team consists of experienced Environmental Engineers, Project Managers, Professional Geologists and Professional Engineers who can respond immediately to your assessment needs regardless of the size or location of the site. Available to this team is probing and analysis equipment that is owned by Alpha Environmental Sciences, Inc. and that can be mobilized quickly to any site.

See below for more detail**about conducting a Phase II ESA.

on-site

[ Top ]

*Details — Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) are conducted in order to learn about a property's past use, the environmental conditions at the site and adjoining sites, and the likely presence of hazardous substances. A Phase I ESA involves the review of federal, state and local records, a surveillance of the site visit, and interviews with owners, occupants and local government officials. A Phase I ESA does not involve sampling or laboratory analysis.

The primary objective of a typical Phase I ESA study is to:

• Exercise due diligence prior to the purchase or investment in property. Conducting a Phase I ESA helps ensure all recognizable environmental conditions have been identified regarding the presence or likely presence of hazardous substances covered under CERCLA and petroleum products. Although ASTM standards only address hazardous substances covered under CERCLA and petroleum products, asbestos, lead-based paint and other hazardous materials will usually be addressed in the Phase I ESA.

Conducting a Phase I ESA is important for the following reasons:

• It can help establish the "innocent landowner" defense under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). CERCLA was enacted to respond to situations involving past disposal of hazardous substances, and places the liability for cleanup of hazardous substances on potentially responsible parties (PRPs), including owners of the property.
• It can better assess the financial risk posed by potential environmental contamination.
• It can help you avoid full or partial liability for cleaning up the property.
• It can possibly help you demand that the current landowner clean up the property prior to the sale, or have the cost of the property/lease reduced commensurate with the cost or potential liability of the cleanup activities.

Alpha Environmental Sciences, Inc. suggests that you require your reports are conducted in accordance with ASTM E 1527-05, Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments; and that your assessor has been trained and certified to the latest EPA, 40 CFR Part 312, Standards and Practices for All Appropriate Inquires; Final Rule.

[ Top ]

**Details — Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)

A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment is usually performed after the results of a Phase I ESA indicate that the potential for environmental issues on the property or on adjacent property warrant further investigation.

The level of field activities necessary for a Phase II Assessment will depend on the specific conditions determined by the Phase I ESA study. Prior to initiation of any Phase II activities, a mutually agreeable upon scope of work would be developed.

A typical scope of work generally includes:

• A Health and Safety Plan prepared pursuant to OSHA regulation 29 CFR Part 1910.
• A Quality Assurance Project Plan prepared to meet US EPA requirements.
• The type of environmental sampling and analytical methods that would be used in the investigation for volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), semi-volatile organic compounds, metals, herbicides and pesticides, or other suspect compounds, PCB’s, primary and secondary drinking water inorganic compounds, and/or a list of site specific metals.
• The inspection and testing for asbestos and lead based paint.
• The number, location, and depth of groundwater monitoring wells to be installed.
• The number, locations, and depths of soil sampling boreholes and the types of analyses that are to be performed.
• Regional geologic and hydro-geologic characteristics.
• Documentation of field investigation methods, activities, and results including inferred groundwater flow directions, depth to ground-water, aquifer systems, confining units, etc.
• Documentation of sampling protocol and decontamination procedures.
• An engineering report including our professional opinion concerning the presence or indicated absence of substantial levels of contamination on-site and recommendations for remediation and site closure plan.
  

[ Top ]