Our Services

EnPro specializes in assessment services in order to be efficient, timely, and professionally up to date and still remain a small personalized and responsive company. We are focused in a specific area of enquiry that utilizes our scientific backgrounds and experience.

Scope of Projects

Our scope of services reflects our expertise as geoscientists and the current state of potential environmental liability as defined in both the state and federal, Superfund and Underground Storage Tank laws, rules, and regulations. Because potential building contamination from asbestos and lead are frequently part of a buyer, lender, developer, or seller's value considerations, we also provide inspection and sampling services for those contaminants.

Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs)

There are different standards for assessment depending on who needs to be satisfied. In a typical transaction, the buyer, lender, and developer assume a property is environmentally clean unless there are "red flags" to the contrary. And most of the assessments done are not reviewed by regulatory authorities. For this situation the ASTM standard is appropriate.

When contamination is known or suspected, the Attorney General's office and the Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup Program and Voluntary Petroleum Investigation and Cleanup Program of the Pollution Control Agency usually become involved. Because they are being asked to provide assurances of liability limitations, they assume a property is contaminated unless it is proved otherwise. So assessments that go to government agencies follow the agencies' standards which are designed to "prove the negative" to the extent feasible.

ASTM Phase I and Transaction Screen ESAs

ASTM stands for the American Society for Testing and Materials, a non profit, voluntary, standards development organization made up of both users and producers of various products and services. The ASTM first standardized the Phase I and transaction screen processes in the early 1990s, and lenders have used these standards ever since.

The ASTM Phase I ESA standard assumes that most properties are uncontaminated unless standard historical and government documents and/or the site reconnaissance raise any red flags. The data to be collected and evaluated are outlined in ASTM E 1527-00. This standard is to be carried out by an environmental professional. EnPro has specialized in these services since its inception in 1988, and EnPro's president, Jane M Willard, has served on the ASTM committee that writes these standards since the committee's formation.

In some cases, even a Phase I isn't necessary. An ASTM Transaction Screen is used to determine that. The standard, ASTM E 1528-00, can be carried out by anyone. EnPro does, however, provide this service including opinions and recommendations, which are not part of the standard.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Voluntary Investigation
and Cleanup Program (VIC)

An MPCA/VIC Phase I ESA starts with the premise that the property is contaminated. So the primary purpose of the Phase I is to produce an investigation workplan to determine where to sample and what to sample for. The research is exhaustive compared to an ASTM Phase I; consequently, the costs can be twice as high or more. The additional research may comprise multiple interviews with past and present occupants, detailed review of regulatory compliance records, and collection for aerial photographs from private collections as well as public ones.

EnPro provides all of the data collection and evaluation services necessary for this type of assessment and has shepherded several sites through this process.

MPCA Tank Assessments

When a tank is found to be leaking, there are a series of assessments that may be conducted. The first is the tank removal assessment. The extent of soil contamination is determined in the field by monitoring organic vapors in the tank excavation and in test pits, and contaminated soils are removed if less than a certain amount. Soils left in place are sampled and analyzed.

If the soils left in place are close to the water table or heavily contaminated, a limited soil investigation or a remedial investigation is conducted in which soil and groundwater samples are collected and analyzed. In addition, limited background data on the hydrogeology and history of the area are collected. The project scientist uses these data to decide whether cleanup is necessary and what it should entail.

The most common next step is groundwater monitoring until contamination has dissipated.

EnPro provides project management, field sampling, and evaluation services and subcontracts the excavator, drillers, and chemical laboratory for this work.

Underground Storage Tank Excavation Observations

Our Third area of expertise involves observing and documenting underground storage tanks as they are removed. Current regulations require that tanks no longer in service be assessed during excavation for leakage that may have occurred. EnPro's field staff conducts detailed examinations of inactive tanks. Procedures also entail field screening of soils and, at your request, laboratory analysis.

Asbestos Surveys

The evaluation of potential asbestos containing building materials is not a part of the Phase I ESA standards, but an assessment of building materials is often added to the assessment as a requirement of the lender and/or if the building was constructed prior to 1981. As in the evaluation of soil and groundwater contamination, an asbestos assessment is conducted in phases. An inventory catalogues the different materials that are present in the building that are potentially asbestos containing and indicates their location and condition If they are friable (crushable) or are damaged, then sampling and analysis for asbestos fibers is recommended.

A sampling survey is not only recommended but required by OSHA and the Department of Health if demolition or renovation is planned that will disturb the materials.

Third Party Reviews

While one party involved in a transaction may have the expertise to run an environmental profile themselves, it is often necessary to request the opinion of a private consultant. This ensures that the other party's needs are adequately met and the data reported are acceptable to the government agencies regulating hazardous substances. EnPro consultants are familiar with the process of reviewing and evaluating the investigative methods, results and opinions presented in an original report. Our clients continue to rely on us for thorough experienced and impartial critiques.

We also offer:

Soil and Groundwater Monitoring

Development Remedial Action Plans (DRAP)

Contingency Plans

Call or email us for other services, questions, or referrals at 651.645.6330 or info@enproassessment.com