Articles

Phase I reports assist users, including stakeholders, property owners, investors, municipalities, developers, and sellers in identifying potential or existing environmental contamination liabilities. Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) evaluate both land and property improvements. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, and Compensation Liability Act (CERCLA) (42 USC § 9601), outlines the Landowner Liability Protections [...]

Lead paint has a long and troubled history that highlights the dangers of a widely used toxic material and the hurdles of regulatory efforts. Lead paint was once a popular choice for homes and buildings but now has become synonymous with significant health risks and environmental hazards. Understanding lead paint’s [...]

A feasibility study (FS), in terms of environmental consulting, is the process of identifying, screening, and analyzing potential remedial alternatives to address contaminants of concern (COCs) in different media (e.g. soil, groundwater, vapor) at sites. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) published a document titled Guidance for Conducting [...]

Hazardous waste can be an intimidating topic for industry. Find a handy guide below to the basics of common definitions and terms as well as good practices. Hazardous waste labels must include the following information: Hazardous waste warning: The words “Hazardous Waste” must be clearly displayed on the container Waste composition: The [...]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are the emissions released into the atmosphere that trap heat on earth and contribute to climate change. These emissions can result from a variety of processes including, but not limited to, the combustion of fossil fuel, agricultural practices, and other industrial processes. GHG [...]

Prescreening subsurface contaminated Sites is a crucial step before embarking on remediation efforts. This preliminary process involves evaluating the Site to better understand the nature and extent of contamination, which is vital for designing effective remediation strategies. The primary goal of prescreening is to identify contaminants and their distribution, assess [...]

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of persistent synthetic chemicals that are often found in landfills due to their widespread use in consumer products. The fate and transport of PFAS through landfills are of significant concern because these compounds do not easily break down, leading to their accumulation [...]

Recent enforcement statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show that enforcement penalties have increased approximately 7% in 2023 from the maximum penalties in 2022, and those resulting from a  Clean Air Act violation ranged from 55,000 to $117,000 daily, and 446,000 maximum per violation. The EPA or the state [...]

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have historically been used across various industries such as aerospace, biotechnology, and textiles, for their water-resistant and stain-resistant properties. However, over the past two decades, PFAS have come under significant litigation and regulatory scrutiny due to their persistence in the environment and potential health risks. [...]

Last year, August Mack provided articles and webinars describing the likely forthcoming regulations for chemicals commonly referred to as “PFAS” or “per-and polyfluoryoalkyl substances”.  Well, that time has arrived.  In April 2024, the U.S. EPA issued “the first ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure [...]

Many companies are already familiar with the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) having been required to provide in depth information to the EPA in 2016 and in 2020 on the quantities manufactured or imported of certain chemicals along with their industrial processing and use, consumer and commercial applications, potential exposure [...]

In April 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice that a final rule for publication will be submitted, designating Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) as “hazardous substances” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The final rule was published on May 8, 2024, [...]