Environmental Site Assessment and Due Diligence

EH&E is uniquely positioned to be able to assemble a team that can conduct both building and site assessments in Massachusetts and throughout New England and the Northeast. This includes environmental conditions and potential liabilities associated with a building, its mechanical systems, present and historical operations, the property and its vicinity. EH&E can evaluate the impact of present and historical operations on both the indoor and outdoor environments. EH&E also offers remediation support for a variety of situations, including, asbestos and lead paint abatement, chemical spill clean-up in the indoor and outdoor environment, and management or removal of underground storage tanks.

ASTM Environmental Site Assessments (ESA)

As companies grow and acquire new properties they must keep in mind that new properties can potentially bring environmental risk. Thorough due diligence can help minimize environmental liabilities prior to purchasing property. Typically, due diligence involves an Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), which is a detailed investigation of a property to identify any past, current, or potential environmental liabilities. EH&E has a team of environmental professionals trained in conducting ESAs in accordance with the American Society for Testing and Material protocols (ASTM E-1527). This environmental site assessment includes:

• Site description
• Local, state, and federal records review
• Interviews
• Site reconnaissance
• Historical use information 
• Physical setting review
• Documentation of potential sources of contamination

EH&E is also capable of conducting the ASTM Transaction Screening Process (ASTM E-1528) which is a less detailed assessment but provides similar information in a checklist format.

21E Assessments
EH&E’s environmental professionals are also experienced in conducting 21E Assessments of properties to determine if there is any potential for the site being classified as a "Spill Site" under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (310 CMR 40.0000). This has to do with the investigation, reporting, and clean-up of contaminated soils or ground water. In some cases, a 21E Assessment may be required prior to purchasing, mortgaging or investing in a property.