Under CERCLA, the All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) rule (40 CFR Part 312) is designed to guide prospective property owners on conducting thorough environmental due diligence.
At EGS, we carry out Phase I ESAs aligned with the latest EPA and ASTM standards, including ASTM E1527-21, fully recognized as AAI-compliant as of February 13, 2023. Older reports following the 2013 standard remain acceptable through February 13, 2024.
What We Do in a Phase I ESA:
- Expert-driven evaluation – Conducted by qualified Environmental Professionals (EPs) – licensed, experienced in engineering or environmental science.
- Thorough due diligence – Includes historical records review, property reconnaissance, database searches, lien checks, and interviews to detect indications of contamination.
- Liability protection – Helps protect buyers from historic contamination risks and qualifies for CERCLA liability defenses like “innocent landowner.”
- Tailored to transaction needs – Whether for property acquisition, financing, or redevelopment, we ensure your environmental risks are clearly identified and reported.
Why Choose EGS?
- Compliance with evolving federal standards and regulations
- Accurate, timely, and defensible environmental assessments
- Publication-grade reports that safeguard transaction smoothness
- Expert guidance to support confident property decisions
Following are some of the common concerns with a property that may be addressed in Phase I ESA:
- Leaking Underground Storage Tanks or Oil Tanks (LUSTs)
- Indoor Air Quality and Vapor Intrusion Concern in the buildings
- Lead
- Asbestos
- Mold
- Radon
- Pesticides
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
- Radiological Hazards
- Soil contamination from current and past site usage
- Groundwater contamination
- Wetlands
- Endangered Species
- Cultural and Historical Resources
- Ecological Resources
Related Services:
• Regulatory Compliance