Risk and Liability – Part 2: Vapor Intrusion Mitigation and Managing Liabilities
This webinar is the second in a two-part webinar series featuring Eric Leitz, Director of Legacy Site Services at RPS Group. His presentation discussed risk and managing liabilities, taking a look at vapor intrusion. He was joined by Ryan Miller, East Region Manager at Land Science.
Part 2: Risk and Liability – Vapor Intrusion Mitigation and Managing Liabilities
- Similar to PFAS as an “emerging contaminant,” VI was an “emerging pathway” in the early to mid-2000s
- What have we learned since: a patchwork of state regulations
- For transactions and industry, the driver is exposure risk rather than liability and specific regulations
- VI risk evaluation is still evolving (TCE, maybe PFAS?)
- Immediate investigation/mitigation can facilitate operations or transactions, but mitigation must also endure 5-10+ years to provide long-term viability
When suspected or known VI risk is identified at a site, liability can be managed through well-established assessment and mitigation options. However, transactional work often necessitates an accelerated plan for liability management, where a pragmatic approach is needed to quickly analyze VI liabilities and quantify potential risks and consequences. VI risk to the exposed population (e.g., facility personnel and/or the public) is typically the main driver. Given these factors, VI liability estimates can be generated to not only guide the transaction process, but also manage the liability post-close and into the future.
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November 2022 Land Science Newsletter
Video: MonoShield Composite Metalized Barrier Selected to Protect Against Vapor Intrusion for TX Warehouse
The last large parcel in Garland, Texas is part of a brownfield redevelopment project led by Reserve Capital Partners, a leading commercial real estate development company, transforming the former brownfield into valuable warehouse space for future tenants. MonoShield, a composite metalized contaminant vapor barrier, is designed to eliminate any potential for corrosion and includes a reinforcement grid that significantly increases resistance to puncture during construction activities.
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MonoShield® Technical Data Sheet
MonoShield, a patented contaminant vapor barrier system includes MonoBase, an innovative metalized composite geomembrane, seamed together during installation using Nitra-Core, a spray-applied nitrile-modified asphalt proven to offer 10X the chemical resistance as compared to other asphaltic spray-applied materials. MonoShield is the preferred contaminant mitigation solution for reducing risk and liability for large, slab-on-grade buildings where installation speed is critical.
Client Spotlight: David Hanley
When David Hanley, Principal Engineer and founder of Hanley Environmental, PLLC, formed his own firm, he felt the environmental remediation industry was ripe for a smaller engineering and consulting services company that was both agile and responsive. He begins, “I founded Hanley Environmental because I felt there was an opportunity to provide a high level of individualized service, responsiveness, and creative problem solving for clients, along with creating unique opportunities for talented employees.” At Hanley Environmental, David and his team provide a broad range of environmental engineering and consulting services.
Brownfield Site in St. Louis is Transformed Using MonoShield
MonoShield was applied at a former St. Louis manufacturing site to effectively mitigate contaminant vapor intrusion. The new River City Business Park is poised to bring jobs, innovation, and sustained economic growth to the community. Learn more by downloading the case study.
Webinar Recording: Air Data Quality Control – A Case Study
In this webinar, we were pleased to have special guest speaker Sigrida Reinis, PhD, PE, Senior Associate at Langan Engineering and Environmental Services Inc. Her presentation discussed a case study in air quality data control. She was joined by Hieu Nguyen, Principal Engineer at Land Science, who discussed innovative vapor intrusion mitigation system technologies and best practices.
Product Brochure: RetroCoat – Vapor Intrusion Coating System for Existing Structures
The Retro-Coat Vapor Intrusion Coating System is a complete product line that consists of chemically resistant materials to properly protect existing structures from the threat of vapor intrusion without the need for additional concrete protection. Learn more about Retro-Coat by viewing the product brochure.
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Florida Remediation Conference
11/16-11/18/2022 | Orlando, FL
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To receive a custom vapor intrusion solution, please call 949.481.8118 or visit landsciencetech.com/contact-us
MonoShield Protects Large Texas Warehouse Site Against Vapor Intrusion
Case study highlights:
- Rapid installation keeps fast-moving Brownfield redevelopment project on track
- MonoShield selected as best alternative for chemical resistance, competitive cost, and installation speed
- Project meets aggressive time and budget constraints, ensuring safe breathing environment
The project is led by Reserve Capital Partners, a leading commercial real estate development company. Its construction arm, Reserve Construction, is transforming the former brownfield into valuable warehouse space. As a leader in the field, Reserve Capital Partners has invested millions of dollars in developing and managing high-value properties for clients and investors throughout the Dallas area. The Marquis Development consists of two expansive logistical warehouse buildings covering approximately 200,000 square feet. Due to past industrial activities in the surrounding area, a vapor intrusion mitigation system (VIMS) was required for newly constructed buildings on the property.
Client Spotlight: David Hanley, Hanley Environmental
When David Hanley, Principal Engineer and founder of Hanley Environmental, PLLC, formed his own firm, he felt the environmental remediation industry was ripe for a smaller engineering and consulting services company that was both agile and responsive. He begins, “I founded Hanley Environmental because I felt there was an opportunity to provide a high level of individualized service, responsiveness, and creative problem solving for clients, along with creating unique opportunities for talented employees.” At Hanley Environmental, David and his team provide a broad range of environmental engineering and consulting services. One focus area is preparing engineering designs for vapor intrusion mitigation systems that allow for the redevelopment of contaminated sites, and provide an environmental solution for ensuring safe breathing air for building occupants. In addition, Hanley Environmental regularly partners with other environmental consulting firms on brownfield redevelopment projects to provide these engineering designs. He continues, “I think the growing market for vapor intrusion mitigation system design services created a recipe for success. I’ve recently expanded our engineering support to keep up with the workload, and we’re seeing repeat business from satisfied clients.”
Prior to founding Hanley Environmental, David worked in similar environmental engineering consulting roles with several large environmental consulting firms. His university studies culminated with a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan, and his MS in Environmental Engineering, also from the University of Michigan. He says initially, the multi-disciplinary aspects of remediation work are what attracted him to a career in environmental remediation. He shares, “Our work is often completed alongside larger construction and redevelopment projects or industrial operations, so working with other disciplines involved is important for a successful project- I like this aspect. I also like that we are applying knowledge related to chemical, biological, and physical processes that create tangible results by cleaning up the land.” To stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies, he often attends in-person conferences. “With professional engineering licenses in 7 states, keeping up with continuing education takes some effort. I recently attended the Association of Vapor Intrusion Professionals (AVIP) conference where I gave a presentation on designing vapor intrusion mitigation systems. I was impressed with the quality of content at the conference and the collective expertise of the people there.”
In working with Land Science®, David appreciates the advanced level of technical support he receives when it comes to solving difficult vapor intrusion projects, and as a division of REGENESIS,® demonstrates a deeper understanding of issues involving remediation sites, beyond a typical provider of contaminant vapor barrier systems. He continues, “I’ve had a good experience working with Land Science from the design phase when selecting contaminant vapor intrusion barrier solutions, as well as troubleshooting issues in the field during construction. The Land Science team is easily accessible. As a small firm, we rely on the expertise of specialized partners like Land Science on our projects.” When it comes to working with specific Land Science products and solutions, MonoShield® has been used with success. He shares, “I appreciate MonoShield as a product that provides chemical resistance in a durable single-layer system, with the advantage of spray-applied seams, penetrations, and terminations. With spray-applied seams, this system has the benefit of a continuous, airtight barrier at a competitive price point. As a big believer in the importance of construction quality assurance/quality control, the fact that Land Science’s product installations are approved by certified inspectors is important to me.” With his firm’s recent success in vapor intrusion mitigation design, David feels Hanley Environmental is on pace to achieve its long-term goals. He adds, “If our clients keep coming back and we’re having fun doing the work, we’re on the right track.”
When asked what he likes most in his work, David says it’s all about creating safe environments. He shares, “Our work is rewarding because it ensures a safe place for people to live and work in areas that might not have been considered for redevelopment in the past due to environmental impacts. I enjoy visiting buildings that include our contaminant vapor mitigation systems after they are opened to see the tangible results of our work.” And the most demanding aspect of his work? “On design and construction projects schedules can be demanding, and design services are usually performed under a tight timeline. During construction, changing schedules are common. Our work is usually a small but important piece of a much larger project, and we work hard to make sure it is implemented smoothly.”
With Charlotte, NC serving as both a home and work base, David works on a variety of sites around the country. Outside of work, much of his time revolves around family. “With two kids in diapers and a thriving business, it’s mostly work and family time.” When he can, he enjoys mountain biking on trails around Charlotte, and traveling with his wife. “My wife and I love to travel, and we have big plans to visit some far-away places with the family when our kids are older. Alaska is definitely on the list, and I’ve got family roots in Ireland and love going there. Ultimately stepping foot on all seven continents is on my bucket list, but I have a feeling I might have to travel to Antarctica solo!” When asked how he would encourage others to join his field, he shares that while he initially felt the industry would mature and face diminished job opportunities as contaminated sites were remediated, he’s since realized that will not be the case. He concludes, “I can now see there is plenty of work to do as demand for reuse of industrial land increases and we continue to better understand the risks associated with emerging contaminants. The work done in environmental remediation has a real, positive impact on human health in our communities. While the mainstream focus recently has been on global-scale issues like climate change, local impact is something to think about for aspiring environmental engineers.”
Land Science is proud to have David Hanley, Principal Engineer and founder of Hanley Environmental, PLLC, as a valued partner in environmental mitigation, and appreciates his diversified experience and leadership in providing successful remediation and mitigation outcomes for Land Science and its clients.
Brownfield Site in St. Louis is Transformed Using MonoShield
Case study highlights:
- Green Street Real Estate Ventures (Green Street), a leading commercial real estate development company based in St. Louis, partnered with environmental consultant ATON Environmental to assess and mitigate the environmental concerns.
- MonoShield® was applied at a former St. Louis manufacturing site to effectively mitigate contaminant vapor intrusion.
- The new River City Business Park is poised to bring jobs, innovation, and sustained economic growth to the community.
In 2009, the Green Street-led development team entered the site into Missouri’s Brownfield Development Program, a move that provided economic incentives to offset some of the site’s significant restoration costs, which included remediating impacted soil and groundwater and raising the building grounds above the river flood plain. Upon entering the program, site remediation commenced to address the contamination. Over time, the site remediation requirements were met, earning a Certificate of Completion issued by the MDNR for all groundwater monitoring. With the Certificate in hand, the project team moved forward with the development. The new River City Business Park would include four large buildings covering an area of 585,000 square feet. The modern, environmentally sustainable, and flexible building plan accommodates diverse uses, offering spaces for office work, light industrial manufacturing, tech ingenuity, and warehousing.