Consulting for Our Environmental Site Assessment Services

Phase I ESAs

CQuest routinely performs Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) for lenders, banks, insurance companies, telecommunications providers, and commercial and industrial developers. These assessments range from a single property to large portfolios.

PURPOSE

The Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) will be conducted in accordance with the current American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments (E1527-13) and in accordance with the November 2005 Final Rule entitled “Standards and Practices for All Appropriate Inquiries” (AAI) as published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Phase I ESA is designed to identify obvious Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) in connection with the previous and current uses and ownership of the subject property.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

The scope of services that will address the following components which include the responsibilities of the environmental professional and user’s responsibilities as defined by ASTM E1527-13:

  • Conduct environmental inquiries which will include: A) visual inspections of the facility and adjoining properties, B) interviews with past and present owners, operators or occupants, C) reviews of historical sources, and D) review of federal, state, tribal and local government records.
  • Conduct environmental research: A) of records regarding environmental cleanup liens that may affect the subject site, B) giving consideration of "specialized knowledge of the subject property and adjoining properties," and C) giving user's consideration of the relationship of the purchase price to the value of the property, if not contaminated.
  • Conduct environmental research utilizing: A) consideration of "commonly known or reasonable ascertainable" information about the property, and B) consideration of the "degree of obviousness of the presence or likely presence of contamination at the property."
  • Visual observation as allowed for other reasonably ascertainable indicators of contamination such as: improper regulated materials handling and storage practices, improper waste stream disposal, airborne emissions, asbestos-containing building materials, lead-based paint, PCB-containing equipment, and radon.
  • Review of aerial photographs, historical city directories and Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (SFIMs) will be conducted to assess the past and present uses of the subject site and adjacent properties. Additionally, if any RECs are identified in conjunction with these properties, the potential impacts to the subject site will be discussed based on review of regulatory information available within the scope of work identified.
  • A review will be conducted of a list compiled by Environmental Data Resources, Inc., (EDR) or similar database services.
  • Visual observation from publicly accessible areas of adjoining properties for reasonably ascertainable potential environmental hazards and contaminants.
  • An emailed copy of the Phase I ESA report.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

The scope of services that will address the following components which include the responsibilities of the environmental professional and user’s responsibilities as defined by ASTM E1527-13:

  • Conduct environmental inquiries which will include: A) visual inspections of the facility and adjoining properties, B) interviews with past and present owners, operators, or occupants, C) reviews of historical sources, and D) review of federal, state, tribal, and local government records.
  • Conduct environmental research: A) of records regarding environmental cleanup liens that may affect the subject site, B) giving consideration of "specialized knowledge of the subject property and adjoining properties," and C) giving user's consideration of the relationship of the purchase price to the value of the property, if not contaminated.
  • Conduct environmental research utilizing: A) consideration of "commonly known or reasonable ascertainable" information about the property, and B) consideration of the "degree of obviousness of the presence or likely presence of contamination at the property."
  • Visual observation as allowed for other reasonably ascertainable indicators of contamination such as: improper regulated materials handling and storage practices, improper waste stream disposal, airborne emissions, asbestos-containing building materials, lead-based paint, PCB-containing equipment, and radon.
  • Review of aerial photographs, historical city directories and Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (SFIMs) will be conducted to assess the past and present uses of the subject site and adjacent properties. Additionally, if any RECs are identified in conjunction with these properties, the potential impacts to the subject site will be discussed based on review of regulatory information available within the scope of work identified.
  • A review will be conducted of a list compiled by Environmental Data Resources, Inc., (EDR) or similar database services.
  • Visual observation from publicly accessible areas of adjoining properties for reasonably ascertainable potential environmental hazards and contaminants.
  • An emailed copy of the Phase I ESA report.

Asbestos & Lead Based Paint

CQuest provides a complete spectrum of professional services in the asbestos (ACM) and lead-based paint (LBP) fields, ranging from initial surveys to post-abatement clearance.  CQuest’s monitoring and management services are designed to provide our clients with the assurance that the abatement projects are performed in compliance with the federal and state statutes and in a manner not to endanger the surrounding workplace.  The following services are typical of those provided by CQuest:

  • Abatement Project Monitoring and Oversight
  • Inspections and Surveys
  • Sampling
  • Lead Inspections & Risk Assessments
  • Plans and Specifications 
  • X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Surveys

Indoor Air Quality

CQuest provides a variety of services related to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and has responded to complaints concerning a variety of commercial and residential settings where occupants were experiencing health problems potentially associated with substandard air quality. Our experience in this discipline assures accurate and efficient diagnosis of potential factors contributing to the deterioration of a building's indoor air environment. CQuest evaluates Indoor Air Quality issues including:

  • Asbestos If products containing asbestos are disturbed, the tiny fibers are released into the air. When they are breathed in, they can become trapped in the lungs and stay there for many years. Over time these fibers can accumulate and lead to serious health problems such as Asbestosis or Mesothelioma.
  • Lead - Studies indicate that too much lead in the body can cause lasting problems with growth and development in children. These can affect behavior, hearing, and learning and can slow the child's growth. In adults, lead poisoning can damage the brain and nervous system, the stomach, and the kidneys. Environmental laws have reduced lead exposure in the United States, but it is still a health risk, especially for young children.
  • Carbon Monoxide - Pollution from internal and external combustion sources can inhibit oxygen uptake in the body that can cause illness and reduced productivity for occupants.

  • Carbon Dioxide - Complaints of stuffiness, sleepiness, headaches, and loss of employee production can result due to inadequate fresh air and proper ventilation system design.
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - Are released by copy/printer machines, common cleaners and adhesives, and paints that can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and dizziness.
  • Formaldehyde - Acute formaldehyde exposure can have toxic effects on the nasal cavity and/or throat if inhaled as well as the gastrointestinal tract if ingested in high levels as well as several other toxic effects. It can be released from new building materials such as carpeting and pressed wood products that use glues (particle board, hardwood, plywood paneling). These products may be used in home construction and renovations and are also often used to make furniture, cabinets, paints, adhesives, varnishes and floor finishes.
  • Particulate Matter - Found in ventilation systems or from nearby construction activities, can cause itchy, red eyes, runny nose and other allergic reactions.
  • Mold Contaminants - Mold can occur as a result of water intrusion events, excessive humidity, or other building system flaws, can trigger allergic response, asthma, and infections.

Indoor Air Quality

CQuest provides a variety of services related to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and has responded to complaints concerning a variety of commercial and residential settings where occupants were experiencing health problems potentially associated with substandard air quality. Our experience in this discipline assures accurate and efficient diagnosis of potential factors contributing to the deterioration of a building's indoor air environment. CQuest evaluates Indoor Air Quality issues including:

  • Asbestos If products containing asbestos are disturbed, the tiny fibers are released into the air. When they are breathed in, they can become trapped in the lungs and stay there for many years. Over time these fibers can accumulate and lead to serious health problems such as Asbestosis or Mesothelioma.
  • Lead Studies indicate that too much lead in the body can cause lasting problems with growth and development in children. These can affect behavior, hearing, and learning and can slow the child's growth. In adults, lead poisoning can damage the brain and nervous system, the stomach, and the kidneys. Environmental laws have reduced lead exposure in the United States, but it is still a health risk, especially for young children.
  • Carbon Monoxide - Pollution from internal and external combustion sources can inhibit oxygen uptake in the body that can cause illness and reduced productivity for occupants.
  • Carbon Dioxide - Complaints of stuffiness, sleepiness, headaches, and loss of employee production can result due to inadequate fresh air and proper ventilation system design.
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - Are released by copy/printer machines, common cleaners and adhesives, and paints that can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, and dizziness.
  • Formaldehyde - Acute formaldehyde exposure can have toxic effects on the nasal cavity and/or throat if inhaled as well as the gastrointestinal tract if ingested in high levels as well as several other toxic effects. It can be released from new building materials such as carpeting and pressed wood products that use glues (particle board, hardwood, plywood paneling). These products may be used in home construction and renovations and are also often used to make furniture, cabinets, paints, adhesives, varnishes, and floor finishes.
  • Particulate Matter - Found in ventilation systems or from nearby construction activities, can cause itchy, red eyes, runny nose, and other allergic reactions.
  • Mold Contaminants - Mold can occur as a result of water intrusion events, excessive humidity, or other building system flaws, can trigger allergic response, asthma, and infections.