Request a proposal In the field. In the documents. On the record.Environmental due diligence
Environmental due diligence that reviews property history, regulatory information, site observations, and interviews for recognized environmental conditions.
Request a proposalIn plain terms
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment examines current and historical uses, environmental records, site conditions, and interviews to identify recognized environmental conditions. The purpose is to evaluate potential releases—not to certify that a property is free of contamination.
Scope, requirements & reporting
EPA recognizes ASTM E1527-21 as consistent with the federal All Appropriate Inquiries rule. Environmental due diligence intended to support a CERCLA liability protection must also address the purchaser’s responsibilities and timing. A report alone does not establish eligibility for legal protections.
The assessment connects historical property use and regulatory records with a site visit and interviews. Tanks, fill, chemical storage, staining, former industrial operations, and neighboring uses may need further evaluation. Explain missing records or inaccessible areas and whether those gaps affect the conclusions.
A Phase I does not ordinarily include soil, groundwater, or vapor sampling. Findings may support a separately scoped Phase II investigation. Asbestos, lead paint, mold, radon, and other additional topics should be addressed expressly in the engagement rather than assumed to be included.
Decisions supported
Are recognized environmental conditions identified?
Do historical or current uses warrant additional attention?
Are there material data gaps or limitations?
Should further investigation, documentation, or risk management be considered?
Typical scope
The final scope follows the property, transaction, program, client requirements, and information available. Typical elements include:
Process
Confirm the property or project, intended use, reliance parties, schedule, available information, and required deliverable.
Review the documents, identify gaps, and coordinate the people and access needed to complete the scope.
Perform the observations, analysis, interviews, and specialist coordination called for by the assignment.
Separate material findings from background information and state the basis, limitations, open items, and follow-up clearly.
Common assignments
Environmental due diligence supporting commercial property transactions.
Updated assessment of environmental conditions for a new lending decision.
Coordinated environmental review across multi-property transactions and national portfolios.
Frequently asked
No. It identifies a condition requiring evaluation under the assessment framework. Sampling, records clarification, or regulatory review may be needed to determine whether a release occurred and what response is appropriate.
Not ordinarily. Sampling and laboratory analysis are typically part of a separately defined investigation, with the locations, media, methods, and intended decision established first.
Timing depends on the transaction and intended use. AAI generally must be conducted within one year before acquisition, with certain components updated within 180 days. Check component dates and lender requirements rather than only the report cover date.
No. A database search is one source of information and does not supply the full records, interviews, reconnaissance, professional evaluation, and user responsibilities of a Phase I/AAI process.
A Phase I ESA evaluates current and historical property use, regulatory information, site observations, and interviews to identify recognized environmental conditions under the applicable scope and standard.
A standard Phase I ESA is non-intrusive and generally does not include soil, groundwater, vapor, or building-material sampling. Additional investigation may be recommended when the findings warrant it.
The parties relying on the assessment should be discussed at engagement so the scope, user responsibilities, reliance, timing, and transaction context are clear.
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