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What is an Asbestos Survey?
When you’re planning a renovation or demolition project, especially involving older buildings, there’s one critical step that cannot be overlooked: an asbestos survey. Whether you’re updating a historic structure or clearing the way for new construction, identifying and managing asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) is not just smart — it’s required by law. At PM Environmental, we…
PCA vs. FCA: Understanding the Differences Between Property Condition Assessments and Facility Condition Assessments
When it comes to managing real estate assets, whether you’re preparing for a transaction or maintaining a long-term property portfolio, understanding the condition of your buildings is crucial. Two important types of evaluations you’ll often encounter are the Property Condition Assessment (PCA) and the Facility Condition Assessment (FCA). Although these assessments share similarities, they serve…
What is an Environmental Consultant?
When it comes to protecting the environment while maintaining progress and development, environmental consultants play a critical role. But what exactly is an environmental consultant, and what do they do? Whether you are a business owner, a property developer, or a concerned citizen, understanding the importance of environmental consulting can help you make informed decisions….
Baseline Environmental Assessments (BEAs) – A Practical Guide
Baseline Environmental Assessments (BEAs) are critical tools for individuals and businesses considering the acquisition of property known or suspected to be contaminated. Under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) of 1994, BEAs provide a pathway for new owners or operators to avoid liability for pre-existing environmental contaminations. This guide will explain the concept,…
Why Due Diligence? A Lawyer’s View
The best answer I ever heard to the question “Why does one do environmental due diligence?” was: “My lender is making me.” Of course that’s not the reason. But it is a reason. Environmental due diligence typically breaks down into two types: (1) researching residual environmental contamination on a property; and (2) evaluating environmental compliance….
Why do I need to worry about vapor intrusion?
Why do I need to worry about vapor intrusion? Vapor intrusion results from chemical vapors emanating from contaminated soil or groundwater that impacts the indoor air of a building. The chemical vapors can seep into openings in cracked foundations, basements, or sewer lines or, depending on the identified compounds, can simply migrate through the floor…
Environmental Consulting
What’s Love Canal Got to Do with It?
The name “Love Canal” may invoke romantic images, and indeed, the intent was to create something beautiful. Sadly, the story is quite grizzly. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) refers to it as “one of the most appalling environmental tragedies in American history.” In 1890, a man named William T. Love had a dream…
What You Need To Know About PFAS {Infographic}
For decades, Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), comprised of more than 4,000 individual compounds, including two well known regulated compounds perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic (PFOA), were used in a range of industrial and consumer applications and processes like plating, material coating, lubrication, vapor suppression, cookware, food storage, packaging products, carpet and upholstery, fire fighting products,…
What the REC? Understanding RECs, CRECs and HRECs in a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
With all of the acronyms in the environmental consulting industry, reading a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment report can be a challenge. And if the report contains the acronym REC, confusion may give way to dread. A Recognized Environmental Condition, or REC, is a term used in a Phase I ESA report to identify a…
What is the difference between an Environmental Transaction Screen (ETS) and a Phase I ESA?
Environmental Transaction Screens (ETS) are a voluntary procedure intended to identify Potential Environmental Concerns (PECs) for commercial real estate. They are meant to be a screening tool for those who wish to conduct limited environmental due diligence, and usually only recommended for low risk property types with available historical information. An ETS is sometimes used…
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