• Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and Transaction Screens
  
  
• Phase II Soil Borings and Groundwater Sampling
  
  
• Asbestos Bulk Sampling
  
  
• Lead Pint, Dust Water and Soil Sampling
  
  
• Radon Screening
  
  

   

  An ESA is conducted on a parcel of property to determine if environmental contamination exists. An ESA is typically required by a financial institution prior to providing financing for a particular piece of property. ESAs may protect the future property owner and financial institution from liability if the previous owners contaminated the property.

  ET performs ESAs in a phased approach (Phase I & II) to limit the initial cost to our clients. Phase I ESAs are conducted according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard. ESAs may also be conducted as a Transaction Screen following a condensed ASTM reporting protocol. Both rely on the collection of non-intrusive, historical information. The intent of a Transaction Screen is to provide a more cost-effective means of assessing properties that are deemed to require less historical review. These properties may include undeveloped lots, residences or recently developed parcels. Transaction Screens involve a site walk-through and interview to check the property and surrounding properties for environmental concerns. During the walk-through, a site checklist is completed summarizing current and past site conditions. The site walk-through and interview are conducted in the presence of a person or persons knowledgeable about the current and past conditions of the property.
  
  A Phase I report is compiled for properties that are suspected of potentially having environmental concerns. Transaction Screens are intended to provide a cost-effective means of assessing a property with a low likelihood of environmental concern whereas Phase I Reports are intended to provide a comprehensive historical review for purposes of reducing liability risks associated with historical property usage. We perform a thorough investigation to determine the property's history using aerial photographs, Sanborn fire maps and EPA records. A field reconnaissance is also conducted to inspect the property and/or building(s) for the possibility of petroleum contamination, asbestos, lead, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), radon and other environmental concerns. A report is compiled detailing any environmental hazards that are suspected to be present.

  As a Phase I assesses the potential for property contamination, a Phase II may be required to confirm or deny suspected contamination to the site. The Phase II consists of collecting samples from areas that are suspected to contain hazardous materials or substances, thereby providing conclusive results as to whether an environmental hazard exists and if so, to what extent. A Phase II report is compiled outlining any environmental hazards associated with the property so the prospective buyer and financial institution understand the associated risks.
  
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