ETC Environmental Site Assessment & Investigation 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) conducted under ASTM E1527?
- To collect soil and groundwater samples for laboratory analysis
- To identify recognized environmental conditions (RECs) through records review, site inspection, and interviews without sampling (Correct answer)
- To develop a cleanup cost estimate for a contaminated property
- To satisfy RCRA permit requirements for hazardous waste facilities
Correct answer: To identify recognized environmental conditions (RECs) through records review, site inspection, and interviews without sampling
A Phase I ESA identifies Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) — past or present hazardous substance use or releases — through historical records, regulatory database review, site inspection, and interviews, without physical sampling.
Question 2: Which regulatory database is reviewed during a Phase I ESA to identify properties listed as federal Superfund sites?
- RCRIS (RCRA Corrective Action/Notifiers database)
- CERCLIS (CERCLA Information System / SEMS) (Correct answer)
- ECHO (Enforcement and Compliance History Online)
- TRI (Toxics Release Inventory)
Correct answer: CERCLIS (CERCLA Information System / SEMS)
The CERCLA Information System (now called SEMS — Superfund Enterprise Management System) lists sites on the National Priorities List (NPL) and other CERCLA sites, which are mandatory review items in Phase I ESAs.
Question 3: During a Phase I ESA, the environmental professional discovers historical aerial photographs showing underground storage tanks (USTs) that were removed in 1985 with no closure documentation. This finding would most likely be reported as:
- A Business Environmental Risk (BER) requiring further action
- A Recognized Environmental Condition (REC) warranting Phase II investigation (Correct answer)
- A Historical Recognized Environmental Condition (HREC) if regulatory closure was obtained
- A de minimis condition with no significance
Correct answer: A Recognized Environmental Condition (REC) warranting Phase II investigation
Formerly present USTs removed without documented regulatory closure represent a REC because contamination from leaks or improper closure may remain, warranting Phase II sampling to investigate.
Question 4: What is the primary objective of a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment?
- To prepare a cleanup cost estimate for identified contamination
- To collect and analyze environmental samples to confirm or deny the presence of contamination identified in the Phase I ESA (Correct answer)
- To obtain regulatory closure for confirmed contamination through remediation
- To evaluate alternative remediation technologies for a contaminated site
Correct answer: To collect and analyze environmental samples to confirm or deny the presence of contamination identified in the Phase I ESA
A Phase II ESA involves collecting and analyzing soil, groundwater, soil gas, or building material samples at locations targeted by Phase I RECs to confirm or refute whether contamination is actually present.
Question 5: When evaluating historical aerial photographs in a Phase I ESA, which feature would most strongly suggest the potential for chlorinated solvent contamination on a commercial property?
- Staining patterns consistent with hydraulic oil spills in a parking area
- Dry cleaning establishment operated on-site from 1955 to 1990 (Correct answer)
- Dumpsters located near the building service entrance
- Fuel oil tank for building heating identified near the utility entrance
Correct answer: Dry cleaning establishment operated on-site from 1955 to 1990
Dry cleaners historically used tetrachloroethylene (PCE) as a cleaning solvent, which is a common and persistent groundwater contaminant; former dry cleaning operations are one of the most significant sources of chlorinated solvent RECs.
Question 6: What is a 'vapor encroachment condition' (VEC) as defined under ASTM E2600, and why is it significant for property transactions?
- A plume of dissolved contaminants migrating toward a property boundary in groundwater
- A condition where chemical vapors from a nearby contamination source may migrate into the subsurface of a subject property and intrude into buildings (Correct answer)
- Visible air emissions from a neighboring industrial facility affecting air quality
- An OSHA-defined air quality concern for worker exposure at industrial sites
Correct answer: A condition where chemical vapors from a nearby contamination source may migrate into the subsurface of a subject property and intrude into buildings
A VEC exists when chemical vapors from off-site or on-site contamination sources may migrate into the vadose zone beneath a subject property and potentially intrude into buildings through vapor intrusion pathways.
ETC Environmental Site Assessment & Investigation 1
What is the primary purpose of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) conducted under ASTM E1527?