Ownership and redevelopment of brownfield properties can provide a business opportunity and greatly benefit a community. While there is significant potential for an all-around positive outcome, the owner or developer takes on the challenge of remediating or managing the contamination through working with environmental professionals and regulators. One of the most common challenges in managing contamination on these properties is dealing with vapor intrusion.
Vapor intrusion can occur when soil or groundwater underneath or adjacent to a building is impacted by “volatile” contaminants, meaning they readily exist as a vapor (i.e., gas). Think of the vapors that emanate from an open can of gasoline or other household chemicals such as paints and stains. When petroleum products or other volatile chemicals are spilled, they can seep into soil and groundwater and become an ongoing source of potentially harmful vapor. When these vapors move through soil and building foundations it can diminish indoor air quality. This is called vapor intrusion and can result in building occupants being exposed to these contaminants while breathing.
Vapor intrusion issues can be identified during due diligence, site development, or during characterization and remediation of known petroleum or other chemical spills. The nature and extent of the soil and groundwater contamination, as well as existing building conditions all have a significant impact on the best way to manage and resolve the vapor intrusion issue. It doesn’t matter if the building was constructed 200 years ago, 2 weeks ago or planned for construction in 2 months, there is a cost-effective solution. The solutions differ most significantly when considering mitigation of existing or new construction. Continue reading to learn more or call us at (610) 692-5770.
[Read more…] about Under the Slab: Vapor Mitigation Strategies for Brownfield Development
Just in time for the New Year, the PADEP has issued a new Final General NPDES Permit for discharges of stormwater associated with construction activities (PAG-02). This reissued General Permit contains: new requirements for impaired water discharges; site inspections; new modules; and plenty more. These changes also cover existing general NPDES permits, which could bump existing general permit holders into individual permits, particularly for discharges into streams with certain Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL’s).