Environmental Advisory: Addressing Vapor Intrusion

A new standard issued by ASTM International should assist parties involved in a real estate transaction, whether a purchase, financing, corporate transaction that includes real estate, or even a lease. The standard is titled "Assessment of Vapor Intrusion into Structures on Property Involved in Real Estate Transactions" and supplements a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment to address prior inconsistencies in addressing the concern of vapor intrusion. The standard was developed through a consensus process that involved state and federal regulatory agencies as well as the private sector.

Vapor intrusion (VI) is now a hot topic among environmental regulators. Intrusion of vapors into buildings can occur when a volatile hazardous substance (e.g., gasoline or dry cleaning solvent) is present in soil or groundwater, and vapors migrate into buildings, either through the foundation or following the path of