On November 6, 2013, ASTM International issued its revised Phase I Environmental Assessment Standard, E1527-13, “Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process.” Perhaps the most significant change to the previous E1527-05 standard is the addition of subsurface vapor migration to the definition of “migration.” This change will require a new layer of risk analysis by environmental professionals (“EPs”) conducting Phase I environmental site assessments in accordance with the revised standard. We anticipate that the inclusion of vapor migration in the E1527-13 standard will result in an increased awareness of, and a heightened sensitivity to, the risks associated with conditions identified in Phase I reports.
View full memo, Revised Phase I Environmental Assessment Standard Issued