During the 1980's the Federal government and many states enacted legislation placing environmental liability on property owners. Environmental liability typically results from potential, current, or past releases of oil or hazardous materials that present risks to human health, public safety, or the environment. With the growing awareness of environmental issues and the enactment of these laws, greater incentives now exist for the assessment of environmental impacts associated with past and current operations and practices at facilities and properties. EHI principals, staff, and associates possess a diverse range of technical expertise and provide their New York (NY) and New Jersey (NJ) clients with a broad spectrum of environmental assessment services.

Site investigations can vary greatly in scope and complexity. Most site assessments fall into two categories:  Phase I or Phase II Site Assessments 

·       Phase I Site Assessments identify recognized environmental conditions, such as a release of hazardous waste, which may impact continued use or planned development of a site. Phase I's are requested by lending institutions as part of a loan application, by developers prior to selection of a property, or by others involved in real estate acquisitions or transactions. This initial phase of work provides the client with preliminary information on potential environmental liability associated with the site.

On November 1, 2005, the EPA issued the final “All Appropriate Inquiries” rule.  This new federal rule provides details on who is qualified to perform Phase I environmental site assessments and changes the current market practice for Phase I environmental site assessments (ASTM E 1527-00).  The American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) released the new current market practice standards (ASTM E 1527-05) on November 18, 2005 to incorporate the requirements of the EPA final rule. For more information about the standard visit www.astm.org/DATABASE.CART/PAGES/E1527.htm.

These new requirements became effective as of November 1, 2006. As buyers or lenders you are at risk if the Phase I Assessment you accept is not up to the standard.  EHI specialists are up-to-date with these new regulations and requirements. EHI has incorporated the new standard’s rules into all Phase I assessment services to ensure that  clients receive the highest quality assessments, which will help them meet the latest regulatory requirements.

·       Phase II Site Assessments are conducted to delineate the type, concentration, and extent of chemicals in soil, soil vapor, and groundwater. This could include more detailed characterization of site conditions through hydro geologic investigation, environmental monitoring, and assessment of the risks posed by site conditions, and establishment of clean-up criteria.
 This allows the potential risk at a given site to be assessed and a regulatory agency to decide whether remediation is needed. A Phase II can also provide valuable information for the development of a risk or exposure assessment model, risk-based corrective action, and the design of a remediation system, if needed.

Utilizing a multi disciplinary approach throughout the site assessment process, EHI strives to anticipate and meet data requirements for subsequent phases of work. This approach promotes timely and cost-effective programs that optimally support risk assessment, feasibility studies and site remediation.

Environmental Health Investigations, Inc.

655 West Shore Trail
Sparta NJ 07871
Phone: 973-729-5649
E-mail: info@ehi-inc.com