Defined by the ASTM Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process (ASTM E1527-13), a REC is the presence or likely presence of any hazardous substances or petroleum products in, on, or at a property. Most laymen are familiar with petroleum products. Hazardous substances include heavy metals, volatile organic compounds like perchloroethylene (PERC), xylene and other carcinogens like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are also classified in this category.

Some examples of commonly seen RECs are:

  • A property that had a dry cleaning plant operating on-site where dry cleaning solvents were used
  • An old gasoline station that has aging tanks remaining in the ground, or tanks which were removed but no removal documentation can be identified
  • An active remediation case such as a Leaking Underground Storage Tank case, a Voluntary Cleanup Program case, or Industrial and Hazardous Waste Corrective Action program case
  • Large expanses of spent abrasive blast media (sandblasting) observed on the ground surface

Contact #ESEPartners today if you have questions about a REC on your property! #duediligence