A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is an evaluation and report of environmental risks that commercial real estate either currently faces or could face in the future. It is common that a Phase 1 ESA is required by a lending institution providing the funding for a purchase or refinancing.
When groundwater and soil become contaminated, it poses health risks not only for people who might rely on the groundwater as a source of drinking water. It can also be hazardous to wildlife, livestock and even pets. If a Phase 2 environmental site assessment (ESA) reveals the presence of hazardous materials or contamination, then additional investigation, as well as soil and groundwater remediation, may be necessary to resolve the issue.
A geophysical survey is an evaluation of the ground below the surface of a site. They are often included in a Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA). Using radar and electromagnetic technology, the survey provides a non-invasive way to find and identify any structures or other underground features that may shed light on the storage and use of hazardous materials.
Alpha’s Professional Geologists have successfully completed soil sampling and characterizations for hundreds of sites. To reduce cost and ensure accuracy, Alpha typically endeavors to utilize direct-push sampling technology, when available, to obtain core samples of soil. Once the sample results are received, Alpha scientists are able to determine if the sample results collected from the site represent human health and/or ecological risks that require further action.
Alpha’s geologists and environmental scientists have extensive experience in soil testing & profiling of soil for disposal and/or reuse in accordance with regulatory requirements. To reduce the cost of disposal, Alpha’s soil sampling enables the soil to be reused or segregated and disposed of in the most cost-effective manner.
Groundwater remediation & characterization is performed by obtaining groundwater samples. If contamination is present, our geologic experts evaluate the nature, extent, and concentration of the contaminant plume. Following assembly of the data, computer modeling techniques enable Alpha’s scientists to determine the contaminant plume and migration.
Groundwater monitoring wells are often required by regulatory agencies to obtain accurate groundwater quality data, groundwater flow direction, and gradient. To reduce costs, Alpha’s scientists obtain competitive bids from drilling contractors and help you make cost-effective decisions. Alpha Environmental currently samples several wells on a quarterly basis as required by regulatory agencies for site closure.
If contaminants are found that require removal, Alpha Environmental can handle all aspects of the project including; development of plans and specifications, furnishing excavation equipment, obtaining agency permits, and managing the remediation from start to finish.
Despite efforts to streamline the process to obtain regulatory closure, site closure requirements are as complex as ever and vary from county to county. Alpha Environmental has 25 years of experience interacting with local lead regulatory agencies and work on our client’s behalf to determine the most cost-effective approach for each investigation and remediation project.
Alpha’s staff of Environmental Professionals and Professional Geologists routinely works with real estate developers looking to purchase a contaminated site for re-development. Alpha performs proper site characterization and estimates remediation costs so developers can make informed decisions regarding a property.
Risk Assessment is used to determine potentially adverse environmental conditions and contaminants that may pose health and safety concerns. In order to have a clear conceptual understanding of a site, Alpha thoroughly assesses and models the key elements of the project including the Source, the Exposure Pathways and the potential Receptors.
If a source is confirmed on a site through testing and laboratory analysis, the concentrations of contaminants encountered in the soil and groundwater are compared to the Oregon DEQ Risk-Based Concentrations (RBCs). An RBC is the concentration of a hazardous substance in soil, water, air or sediment that is determined to be protective of human health and the environment under specified exposure conditions. RBCs are identified for the particular hazardous substances at a site and the specific areas or pathways, such as land or water, where humans and environmental receptors can become exposed to these substances.
Exposure Pathways are the means by which contamination may impact human health or the environment. These pathways include the air, water, and soil. If a pathway is determined to be “complete” then the potential Receptors must be considered.
The following is the list of Risk-Based Concentrations (RBCs) for Oregon:
Receptors include the current and future potentially exposed population and the environment. In order for Risk to be present at the site, a source must be present, a pathway must be complete and a receptor must be present. If any of the three key elements are missing, there is no risk.
Vapor intrusion refers to what happens when chemical vapors migrate from the soil or groundwater into a home or other building. Many chemicals that move into buildings this way are classed as volatile organic compounds (or VOCs). The term volatile means unstable—which in turn means these chemicals are likely to exist in gas (aka vapor) form. Vapor intrusion has increasingly become more of an issue mainly due to the DEQ’s (and EPA) addition of more commonly found constituents benzene, ethylbenzene and naphthalene typically found in petroleum products.
Because they’re gaseous, VOCs can move easily through spaces between soil particles and tend to migrate from high-pressure to low-pressure areas. Since a basement is probably at lower pressure than the soil underneath, these vapors are likely to enter the basement (or other first level) through cracks in the foundation, walls, or floors. Some heating and air conditioning systems will literally pull the gases into the structure. Once they’re inside, natural air flow and ventilation allow the vapors to spread throughout the building. Vapor intrusion can cause indoor air to become polluted and unhealthy.
The degree of health risk vapor intrusion poses depends on the type of chemical and concentration of the chemical in the home. The most common sources of chemicals that can cause vapor intrusion problems are gas stations and dry cleaners. For example, a nearby gas station might have a leak or spill from an underground storage tank allowing gasoline to release to the soil and possibly groundwater. Short-term exposure to gasoline-related vapors can cause respiratory irritation, nausea, or headaches, and long-term exposure can contribute to long-term effects such as cancer. Vapor intrusion clearly can cause health risks to families. In addition, vapors might pose a liability issue if they intrude into a workplace.
There are several ways to test whether toxic chemicals are entering a building: you can collect soil vapor samples in the ground nearby a structure or in the ground right under your foundation; or you may elect to collect indoor air samples.
If you learn that a nearby gas station or industry has had a toxic spill or leak, you might call the owners or government officials to request that they test your home for vapor intrusion. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a lot of information about vapor intrusion and safe chemical levels.
Landlords, property owners, developers, and investors should take vapor intrusion very seriously. They should include Vapor Encroachment Screenings, Vapor Intrusion Testing in their due diligence activities if warranted.
If tests indicate that chemicals are intruding into your home or commercial structure, there are several actions you could take. You might seal any cracks in your walls or foundation. Or you could have a mitigation and/or remediation system installed.
Alpha has certified environmental consultants who conduct Vapor Encroachment Studies according to the guidance of the EPA’s ASTM E2600-10 “Standard Practice for the Assessment of Vapor Encroachment Screening on Property Involved in Real Estate Transactions.” A Vapor Encroachments Study is a method for evaluating the potential for a vapor intrusion condition.
In certain cases, geophysical surveys may be the most cost-effective or logistically viable method by which the subsurface features of site are evaluated. These surveys are generally conducted when attempting to determine whether subsurface structures exist, such as underground storage tanks, clarifiers, or any other features that may shed light on hazardous materials usage/storage.
A geophysical survey can determine if a subsurface feature, which is not visible at the surface, exists at the site or can identify evidence of former subsurface feature by identifying evidence such as terminated piping (i.e. product pipes, vent lines, electrical conduits, or sewer lines), as well by identifying disturbed soil lithology in the shape and depth of the subsurface feature.
These surveys are non-invasive, non-destructive and can be performed rapidly with results often available the same day. Alpha typically recommends magnetic surveys, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) imaging and utility locating depending on site conditions and targeted subsurface features.
If you are in need of a Phase 2 ESA in Portland or the surrounding Oregon area, or would just like to talk to someone about your property, call Alpha Environmental today at 503-292-5346 for more information.
Conducting Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) before purchasing commercial properties is an excellent way to ensure safety, accurate pricing, and compliance with regulatory standards. A Phase 1 ESA can give you insight into whether the property’s soil is contaminated or if environmentally unfriendly operations like illegal dumping occurred there, protecting you from blame.
Are you buying or selling property and worried about environmental risks? Then you need to know about the ASTM E1527-21 Standard. This Standard is a
Sometimes it can be challenging to look at the world and face the facts; there are thousands of contaminated sites everywhere you look. This makes
A trusted member of our team will reach out within 1 business day to schedule
Our goal is to get the job done right while protecting our client. We are committed to ensuring you are safe in your residence, no matter what. We are fully licensed, bonded, insured, and here to help with all of your environmental needs.
We pride ourselves on strong company values that translate into service levels which go above and beyond average service providers
For over two decades we've been doing the dirty work, serving residential and commercial customers in the greater Portland area
Our entire team is committed to ensuring your home or place of business is safe and every job gets done the right way
11080 SW Allen Blvd., #100 Beaverton, OR 97005
(503) 292-5346 ● info@alphaenvironmental.net
Alpha Environmental Offers Asbestos Testing, Asbestos Abatement, Mold Removal & More To Portland, OR & All Surrounding Portland, OR Areas. Contact Alpha Environmental Today!
Oregon Construction Contractors Board License No. 152125
A trusted member of our team will reach out within 1 business day to schedule