A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment is a report prepared for a real estate holding which identifies potential or existing environmental contamination
liabilities. The analysis, often called a Phase I ESA, typically addresses both the underlying land as well as physical improvements to the property; however, techniques applied in a Phase I ESA never include actual collection of physical samples or chemical analyses of any kind. Scrutiny of the land includes examination of potential
soil contamination,
groundwater quality,
surface water quality and sometimes issues related to hazardous substance uptake by
biota. The examination of a site may include: definition of any chemical residues within structures; identification of possible
asbestos containing
building materials; inventory of
hazardous substances stored or used on site; assessment of
mold and
mildew; and evaluation of other
indoor air quality parameters. Actual sampling of soil, air, groundwater and/or building materials is typically not conducted during a Phase I ESA. The Phase I ESA is generally considered the first step in the process of environmental
Due Diligence. This type of study is alternatively called a Level I Environmental Site Assessment. Standards for performing a Phase I site assessment have been promulgated by the US EPA and are based in part on
ASTM in Standard E1527-05. If a site is considered contaminated, a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment may be conducted, ASTM test E1903, a more detailed investigation involving chemical analysis for hazardous substances and/or petroleum hydrocarbons.
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The process of determining whether contamination is present on a parcel of real property.
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