To purchase a commercial or industrial property it is important to ensure that the site is free from any contaminants that are detrimental for the environment. One of the first important steps to ensure environmental safety of a property is to conduct the Phase 1 ESA.
The Phase 1 Environmental site Assessment determines whether the site is exposed to any environmental hazards or not due to past activities carried out at the site. It involves the evaluation of property history, evaluation of surrounding environment and analysing current uses that reveals the possibility of the presence of environmentally harmful contaminants.
However, while Phase 1 ESA determines the potential exposure of the place to harmful contaminants, it doesn’t involve testing for actual contaminants. The actual identification of contaminants is done in Phase 2 ESA. However, the following section explores some of the contaminants found during Phase 1 ESAs.
The Major Contaminants Found During Phase 1 ESA
The detailed investigation of a site during Phase 1 ESA allows environmental specialists to assess the presence of certain contaminants. The most identified contaminants found during Phase 1 ESA includes the following.
1. Heavy Metals
Through Phase 1 ESA it can be predicted whether a site is exposed to heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic and cadmium. The types of industrial activities carried out in the past might suggest that the site is exposed to these harmful contaminants. Generally, industrial activities that use pesticides or involve metal processing are expected to leave contaminants.
These contaminants are harmful for the environment even when present in small amounts. Thus, by studying the kind of industrial activities carried out in the environment, environmentalists can tell what contaminants the site might be exposed to. Based on their analysis they might suggest a Phase 2 ESA to prove their assumption.
2. Volatile Organic compounds (VOCs)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are typically found in industrial sites such as printing businesses, businesses involving dry cleaning operations and also in various industrial sites. Through background checking of a particular site during Phase 1 ESA it is easily assessed by environmental experts that the site might be exposed to volatile organic compounds.
VOCs refers to a group of chemicals that can vaporize easily and is extremely harmful for humans. Headaches and liver damage are two of the most harmful health issues related to VOCs.
3. Asbestos
Asbestos was heavily used in sites before the 1980s. The factories used asbestos for construction purposes and used it for roofing, flooring and so on. Even though it is a naturally occurring substance it has extreme health implications which was not realized for a long time.
Phase 1 ESA can assume the presence of asbestos contamination by reviewing old data to learn whether the old building construction included asbestos or not. By further investigation during asbestos survey and sampling they can confirm the actual presence of the substance.
4. Lead Paints
Lead paints were also widely used in commercial and residential buildings before 1978. The harmful effects of lead paint was also recognized much later. It is especially harmful for children and pregnant women. A Phase 1 ESA might suggest the presence of lead dust or chips that might be left behind by dilapidated old buildings and improper construction work.
5. Petroleum Products
Petroleum products are also the most commonly found contaminants during Phase 1 ESA. Manufacturing sites such as car garage or commercial sites, gas stations, and repair shops are heavily exposed to petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel fuel. However, it poses huge environmental hazards as spilled petroleum often gets mixed with soil and groundwater.
These leakages have long-term detrimental effects on the environment. However, historical data review during the Phase 1 ESA can confirm the presence of petroleum contamination. Presence of underground storage tanks is one of the key determinants of petroleum contaminants.
Conclusion
This blog covers the most common contaminants identified during a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA). Since businesses must legally comply with hazardous substance regulations and properly manage chemical waste to minimize environmental impact, conducting a Phase 1 ESA is essential. To ensure an accurate investigation, work with a reputable environmental agency to perform your Phase 1 ESA.