Site Closure

Polychlorinated biphenyls, better known as PCBs, occupy a unique and often troubling place in the history of industrial chemistry. First manufactured in the late 1920s, PCBs were used for their stability, heat resistance, and insulating properties. These characteristics made them ideal for use in electrical equipment such as transformers and [...]

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is rolling out its Long Term Stewardship (LTS) Program as a formalized pathway for managing sites where contamination remains in place after remediation. This program represents a significant evolution in how Indiana approaches conditional site closures, long term monitoring, and the ongoing responsibilities [...]

Underground storage tanks, often referred to as USTs, play a significant role in storing fuels and other regulated substances below the surface. They are commonly found at gas stations, industrial facilities, and commercial properties, and in some cases even at older residential sites. Because these tanks are buried, they can [...]

It has been almost 10-years since U.S. EPA developed an expedited approach for cleanup under the Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action Program.   In 2016, the U.S. EPA issued the RCRA Facilities Investigation Remedy Selection Track: A Toolbox for Corrective Action, which is referred to as RCRA FIRST.  [...]

In the world of data-driven decision-making, few tools have had as profound an impact as Monte Carlo Analysis. Known for its ability to model uncertainty and simulate complex systems, this mathematical method has roots in wartime innovation and has evolved into a cornerstone of modern analytics. The story begins in the 1940s, [...]

One of the goals of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976 (Title 42, U.S. Code, Chapter 82) is the management of solid and hazardous waste.  This means that to comply with this regulation it is necessary to understand how hazardous waste is defined under RCRA.  The following [...]

A feasibility study (FS), in terms of environmental consulting, is the process of identifying, screening, and analyzing potential remedial alternatives to address contaminants of concern (COCs) in different media (e.g. soil, groundwater, vapor) at sites. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) published a document titled Guidance for Conducting [...]

Hazardous waste can be an intimidating topic for industry. Find a handy guide below to the basics of common definitions and terms as well as good practices. Hazardous waste labels must include the following information: Hazardous waste warning: The words “Hazardous Waste” must be clearly displayed on the container Waste composition: The [...]

Pennsylvania’s Land Recycling Program, Act 2, serves as a beacon of hope in the state’s endeavor to revitalize blighted and contaminated properties, commonly known as brownfields. This legislative framework offers a streamlined pathway for the cleanup and redevelopment of these sites, aiming to transform them into valuable assets for communities [...]

What do non-stick coated pans, waterproof fabrics, oil-resistant food packaging, stain-resistant materials, and fire-fighting foam all have in common?  They all potentially contain fluorinated compounds, and more specifically, are made with a suite of specialty chemicals called Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOAs).   PFOS and PFOAs both are fluorinated [...]