Don’t Ignore the Threat of Contaminated Soil—It’s the Law
How Contaminated Soil Affects Construction Projects
The existence or discovery of contaminated soil during construction projects can be problematic due to the following:
Vapor Intrusion
Occupational Exposures
Off-Site Migration
Groundwater Contamination
Additional Disposal Fees
Occupational Licensing & Specialized Training Requirements
What is Soil Contamination?
Historical land use is normally the cause of contaminated soil and groundwater. In the past, most industries have had a poor awareness about material handling & health effects from exposure to heavy metals, asbestos, chlorinated solvents and petroleum distillates. There wasn’t a regulatory agency directing the proper use and disposal of these chemicals. As a result, many industries routinely disposed of impacted material with general trash, in burn pits, or buried them in an on-site dump. Unfortunately today, land used for an industrial waste dump can be found anywhere. In most cases a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I ESA) should be performed prior to acquiring a property. A Phase I ESA may identify evidence of past dumping practices and historic property uses.
Reduce the Risk
Pre-planning and reviewing available environmental reports will reduce the potential of mishandling or encountering contaminated soil and/or water. Awareness of historic land use will reduce everyone’s unexpected occupational exposure, improper material handling, and disastrous budget over-runs. Belair estimators, crews and supervisors have the experience and the required training necessary to recognize and safely address contaminated soils.