Targus was retained to perform an environmental site assessment (Phase I ESA and additional non-ASTM services) for 50 acres of vacant land. The subject property was located overlying the footprint of a portion of a seven-mile long plume included in the Motorola 52nd Street National Priorities List (NPL), specifically within Operable Unit 2 (OU2).
This OU included an area of groundwater affected by halogenated volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in particular tetrachloroethane (PCE), and trichloroethylene (TCE). Local soil gas testing had documented vapor concentrations exceeded residential soil gas human health screening levels (SGHHLS) but not above industrial SGHHSLs.
Prior on-site occupancy had included over 50 years of agricultural operations, supported by numerous prior buildings and structures of uncertain use from the 1940s through the 1960s. Former features and operations were suspected to have been potential sources of releases, including underground storage tanks (USTs), septic tanks, and chemical storage. The collective information was suggestive that prior on-site releases may have contributed to the underlying groundwater and soil vapor plumes.
In addition to the potential releases, Targus identified the presence of transite irrigation piping in a portion of the subject property. The locations and total quantity of this suspect asbestos containing material (ACM) were unable to be quantified and warranted additional exploration in an effort to estimate the potential impact on the project development budget.
Targus provided a thorough report to the client, documenting our observations and conclusions. Between the uncertainty of buried asbestos impact on budget and time and effort required to evaluate the potential for being identified as a discharger and responsible party, Targus’ client did not proceed with acquisition.
