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A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is conducted following a Phase I ESA when potential contamination is identified, aiming to gather more detailed data on the extent and severity of the contamination. It involves collecting soil, groundwater, and/or air samples to analyze for hazardous substances. The Phase II ESA is necessary to assess risks to human health and the environment, determine the feasibility of cleanup actions, ensure regulatory compliance, and make informed decisions during property transactions or development projects.

UST installation and removal refers to the process of installing and removing Underground Storage Tanks (USTs), which are used to store substances such as petroleum or hazardous chemicals below ground level. UST installation is necessary when there is a need for underground storage of substances, typically in industries like fuel stations, manufacturing, or commercial facilities. On the other hand, UST removal is required when USTs are no longer in use, pose risks of leakage or contamination, or need to be replaced. The installation and removal of USTs are regulated to ensure environmental protection and compliance with safety standards.

A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is carried out to detect possible contamination that may pose an environmental hazard and affect a property. It is an essential step in the process of evaluating real estate transactions, including property purchases, sales, refinancing, or land leases. Usually, financial institutions (lenders) mandate the completion of a Phase I ESA. However, there are instances when public agencies may also request a Phase I assessment prior to initiating a redevelopment project.

Risk-based corrective action (RBCA) is an approach used to assess and address environmental contamination based on the potential risks it poses to human health and the environment. RBCA takes into account factors such as the nature and concentration of contaminants, exposure pathways, and potential receptors. This approach aims to prioritize and implement appropriate corrective measures that are both effective and cost-efficient. RBCA is necessary to ensure that contaminated sites are properly managed and remediated to protect human health, minimize environmental impacts, and achieve regulatory compliance. It allows for a more targeted and tailored response to contamination issues, taking into consideration site-specific factors and potential risks.

The ASTM Standard (E1527-21) for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments was updated by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) in November 2021. This revision was the result of extensive meetings held by the ASTM Technical Committee over several years. Notable changes made to the standard include:

1. Increased emphasis on historical research, specifically regarding adjoining properties. The evaluation of potential impacts from neighboring properties now requires a more comprehensive assessment. Historical information sources like fire insurance maps and city directory listings have been expanded to provide better coverage of adjoining properties and their uses.

2. Enhanced environmental lien research. A more thorough search for environmental liens is now required, involving deed research for liens and activity use limitations dating back to 1980. As a result, the cost of preparing a Phase I ESA has significantly increased. It should be noted that environmental lien research remains the responsibility of the report user, not the preparer, and is necessary for qualifying for CERCLA liability protections.

3. Rewritten section on Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB). Revisions have been made to exclude the evaluation of PCB-containing or suspected PCB-containing materials that are part of a building or structure.

4. Inclusion of a site plan and photographs of key site features. The addition of site figures and photos aids in identifying Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) during the Phase I ESA. This helps the Environmental Professional (EP) pinpoint and communicate the location of RECs or other areas of concern on the subject property.

5. Clarification on report validity. The validity of the Phase I ESA report remains at 180 days. However, the revised standard now requires preparers to note in the report the date on which records and individual components were obtained.

6. Removal of obsolete regulatory databases. Obsolete databases have been eliminated, streamlining the review and preparation of reports by eliminating the need to examine unnecessary database listings.

Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concurrence and amendment to the final All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) Rule (40 CFR 312) was finalized on December 15, 2022 (Federal Register 76578, Vol. 87, No. 240).