Phase I & II Environmental Studies
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Reports are prepared for a real estate transaction and identifies potential or existing environmental contamination liabilities. The Phase I Environmental Study should address both the land as well as improvements to the property. Scrutiny of the land includes examination of potential soil contamination, groundwater and surface water quality and occasionally issues related to hazardous substance uptake by the plant and animal life of the region. The examination of a site may include identification of any chemical residues within the building(s), identification of possible asbestos containing building materials, inventory of hazardous substances stored or used on site, assessment for mold and mildew and evaluation of other indoor air quality consideration.
Actual sampling of soil, air, groundwater and/or building materials is typically not conducted during a Phase I Environmental Study, this is generally considered the just first step in the environmental due diligence. If contamination is anticipated, the study could move into a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, which would include the collection of physical samples and chemical analyses.
Asbestos
Prior to the 1980’s, some of the drywall, plaster, siding, acoustic ceilings, insulation, vinyl floor coverings and other building materials used in the construction of homes have the potential to contain asbestos. Asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. It is made up of a mineral fiber that is long, thin and very strong, yet flexible enough to be woven together but may become airborne when disturbed. Asbestos fibers must be inhaled to cause disease. When material containing asbestos is disturbed, lightweight asbestos fibers are released into the air and can be inhaled. In general, the more you are exposed to asbestos, the greater your risk of developing related diseases. Unfortunately, exposure may not have immediate health consequences, and could take years if not decades to develop. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure, and begins in the tissue surrounding the lungs, stomach and heart. Exposure to a lot of asbestos (i.e. an occupational setting) has been known to cause permanent lung damage known as asbestosis. Asbestosis causes shortness of breath and increases the risk of serious lung infections. During our asbestos inspection, samples are taken and laboratory tests are performed for the presence of friable and non-friable asbestos. More information can be found at www.epa.gov/asbestos
Additional Resources for Information on Asbestos:
- Asbestos and Asbestos Health Effects
- Asbestosis
- Lung Cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Where can Asbestos be found?
- Vermiculite and Its Uses
- EPA Action in Libby, MT
- Current Best Practices for Vermiculite Attic Insulation
- Summary of EPA's Pilot Study to Estimate Asbestos Exposure from vermiculite Attic Insulation
- Final Draft - Pilot Study to Estimate Asbestos Exposure from Vermiculite Attic Insulation - Research Conducted in 2001 and 2002
- Sampling and Analysis of Consumer Garden Products That Contain Vermiculite
- Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA)
- Asbestos in Schools
- Asbestos in Your Home
- Asbestos in Products and Buildings
- EPA Regional and State Contacts
- Laws and Regulations
- Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) Title 1 - Control of Toxic Substances - § 2605.Regulation of hazardous chemical substances and mixtures
- Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) Title 2 - Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response
- Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR Part 763 - Asbestos
- Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M- National Emission Standards for Asbestos
- Government Printing Office searchable database of all Federal Register (FR) Notices
- EPA searchable listing of Federal Register Notices published by EPA
- Asbestos Ban and Phase Out
