A

AAI (All Appropriate Inquiries):

The process of evaluating a property’s environmental conditions and assessing potential contamination to satisfy legal protections under CERCLA.

ACM (Asbestos Containing Material):

Materials containing more than 1% asbestos, which can pose health risks if disturbed.

AST (Aboveground Storage Tank):

A tank used to store liquids above the ground.

ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials):

An international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary technical standards, including those for environmental assessments.

AUL (Activity Use Limitation):

Legal or physical restrictions placed on a property to ensure safe use, often related to contamination concerns.

B

BEA (Baseline Environmental Assessment):

An evaluation to document existing contamination on a property to limit liability.

BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylenes):

Common petroleum hydrocarbon compounds found in fuels and often considered indicators of contamination.

Brownfield:

Previously developed land that may be contaminated and requires environmental remediation before reuse.

C

CCDD (Clean Construction Demolition Debris):

Non-hazardous materials from construction or demolition projects suitable for landfill use.

CERCLIS (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System):

A database of sites potentially requiring cleanup under the Superfund program.

CESQG (Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator):

A generator of hazardous waste producing small amounts exempt from certain regulations.

CHMM (Certified Hazardous Materials Manager):

A professional certified to handle hazardous materials management.

CDEPH (Chicago Department of Environment and Public Health):

Agency overseeing environmental health in Chicago.

CREC (Controlled Recognized Environmental Condition):

A recognized environmental condition with controls in place to manage risks.

D

DRO (Diesel Range Organics):

A category of hydrocarbons found in diesel fuels.

E

EP (Environmental Professional):

A qualified individual conducting environmental assessments, as defined by ASTM.

ERNS (Emergency Response Notification System):

A federal database of hazardous substance releases.

F

FINDS/FRS (Facility Index/Facility Registry System):

A federal system consolidating data on facilities subject to environmental regulations.

G

GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar):

Technology used to detect subsurface objects, including tanks or buried contaminants.

GRO (Gasoline Range Organics):

A category of hydrocarbons typically found in gasoline.

H

HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response):

OSHA regulations for safe handling and cleanup of hazardous materials.

HREC (Historical Recognized Environmental Condition):

Past environmental conditions that have been remediated or addressed to regulatory standards.

L

LAST (Leaking Aboveground Storage Tank):

A compromised aboveground tank causing potential environmental contamination.

LUST (Leaking Underground Storage Tank):

A compromised underground tank causing potential environmental contamination.

LBP (Lead-Based Paint):

Paint containing significant levels of lead, often requiring specialized handling for removal or remediation.

M

MOU (Memorandum of Understanding):

An agreement between parties outlining roles or responsibilities, often related to environmental projects.

N

NFA (No Further Action):

A determination that no additional remediation or investigation is required for a site.

NFR (No Further Remediation):

Certification indicating a site meets cleanup objectives, often issued under a Site Remediation Program.

NPL (National Priorities List):

The EPA’s list of hazardous waste sites eligible for long-term remedial action under the Superfund program.

P

PAH (Poly Nuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon):

A group of organic compounds often found in petroleum and coal products.

PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyls):

Toxic industrial chemicals used historically in electrical equipment and other applications.

PESA (Preliminary Environmental Site Assessment):

An initial evaluation to identify potential contamination risks.

PID (Photo-Ionization Detector):

A tool used to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air or soil.

PNA (Poly Nuclear Aromatic):

Compounds similar to PAHs, often associated with fossil fuels and combustion byproducts.

R

REC (Recognized Environmental Condition):

The presence or likely presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products on a property.

RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act):

Federal law governing the management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste.

RSRA (Records Search and Risk Assessment):

A streamlined assessment process focused on document review and risk evaluation.

S

SEMS (Superfund Enterprise Management System):

EPA’s system for tracking hazardous waste cleanup activities.

SICS (Standard Industrial Classification System):

A system for classifying industries by activity type.

SRO (Soil Remediation Objectives):

Standards for acceptable contaminant levels in soil after cleanup efforts.

SVOC (Semi-Volatile Organic Compound):

Organic compounds with moderate volatility, often requiring environmental monitoring.

T

TACO (Tiered Approach to Corrective Action Objectives):

A framework for evaluating and addressing contamination based on risk and site-specific conditions.

TPH (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons):

A measure of petroleum-based hydrocarbons in environmental media.

TSD (Transport/Store/Disposal):

Activities related to managing hazardous waste materials.

V

VCP (Voluntary Cleanup Program):

A state-managed program encouraging voluntary cleanup of contaminated properties.

VEC (Vapor Encroachment Condition):

The migration of hazardous vapors from subsurface contamination into a structure.

VI (Vapor Intrusion):

The process by which volatile chemicals migrate from contaminated groundwater or soil into the indoor air of buildings.