Environmental assessments focus on identifying potential environmental concerns, determining the cost of addressing those concerns, and assessing the potential for environmental liability based on a review of the property’s history, available regulatory databases and visual observations. Because significant business and risk management decisions are based on the data generated, they require extreme care and diligence in their execution. EFI Global’s skilled engineers, geologists and environmental scientists have the local knowledge and expertise needed to provide feasible project solutions — from inception to completion — for financial institutions, real estate developers, property management firms, law firms, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and the manufacturing, healthcare and government sectors. We offer clients the benefit of in-depth knowledge of properties so they can make informed decisions on purchasing, managing, or financing assets.

When soil contamination demands further action, EFI Global provides expert advice on reasonable objectives (both ambitious and achievable) and the most effective strategies and tactics for realizing those objectives — taking into account both cost and impact to the environment. Once the high-level approach to removing or managing the contaminants and waste has been determined, our team will translate it into a concrete environmental remediation action plan that includes:

• Project description
• Contacting/contracting
• Risk assessment and safety management
• Overall site coordination
• Planning
• Quality and quantity surveying
• Budget monitoring
• Site inspections and follow-up reports
• Final report

When an environmental incident occurs — such as a petrol tanker accident, a derailed train, a plane crash or a leaking container — prompt intervention is necessary to prevent contaminants from spreading or seeping into the ground.

Early collection of technical information is also vital in determining liability for the incident. Therefore, our field technicians and engineers visit spill sites right away to collect soil and water samples and other data points so they can map the situation.

EFI Global has the expertise and resources to quickly and effectively carry out these critical activities, as well as the guidance needed for complete removal and/or containment of environmental contaminants.

Any parcel of land can have soil, groundwater or surface water contamination due to prior on-site activities. If you’re buying/selling land or planning to excavate an area for a building project, an environmental site assessment may be required because of government regulations or to mitigate legal and financial risks.

Soil screening is the first step in environmental risk management. The goal is to identify recognized environmental conditions — the presence or likely presence of any hazardous substances on a property that may be released into the environment.

EFI Global can conduct an initial historical study of the site to identify potential environmental concerns and any contaminants likely to be found. Depending on the findings, samples of soil and groundwater may be taken as a follow-up measure.

The results of this two-phased study will indicate whether the site is contaminated or at risk of becoming contaminated.

Collecting this objective data gives stakeholders peace of mind and added legal and financial security, so they can make informed decisions about the property.

EFI Global’s senior experts in soil pollution offer second opinion support as a specialty service. They provide an independent assessment of the extent of contamination, potential risks to human health and the environment and the most appropriate remediation strategies.

Our experts are available to assist clients in clarifying complex concepts, presenting scientific evidence, evaluating data, and understanding the practical and economic implications of certain actions or events.

If the results of the preliminary two-phase site assessment indicate significant contamination, the next step is to map the area.

EFI Global uses the following parameters for in-depth contamination studies:

• Surface
• Depth
• Form of contamination
• Concentration of contaminants/total contaminant loads
• Risk
• Necessity of further measures

If remediation is a viable option, we will also deliver a first indication of various remedial action plans and help interested clients implement the best available approach.

Ecotoxicological analysis offers clarity about the ecological threats of investigated compounds. Risk analysis of chemical impact to ecosystems is generally based on the presence of contaminants in soil and water samples, the concentration standards of which are established according to different investigations.

Bioavailability and bioaccumulation are indicators of potential risk.

Under predetermined and standardized conditions, we observe select organisms that have been in contact with a contaminant sample. Our analyses of the risk factors in impacted environments consider whether the organisms thrive or decline, the rate at which organisms deteriorate and the number of organisms that survive the exposure. Such studies can be critical to determining the health and safety of a given environment.

Subaqueous (underwater) soil analysis requires a specialized approach with modified procedures and materials when sludge and sediment are present. EFI Global has the expertise to evaluate these samples both in situ and ex situ.

Sediment pollution usually attaches itself to organic material and soil particles. Sediment can feed contaminants and pollutants into a body of water, causing the water quality not to meet safety standards. A sediment survey and assessment — combined with other site-specific data — can determine the extent to which sediment is contributing to water pollution.

Before and during the dredging of streams, rivers and lakes, both in harbors and offshore, EFI Global can evaluate the presence of pollutants in sediment and offer professional guidance on the need for further processing or treatment.