This glossary of environmental terms covers the acronyms and definitions our junior staff and clients run into most in environmental consulting. These environmental terms show up in Phase I ESA reports, regulatory letters and lab results. For the services behind these environmental terms, see our Phase I ESA, Phase II ESA, underground storage tank and CCDD pages, or read what an environmental REC is.
Environmental Terms A to Z
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.
Have a question about environmental terms that aren’t on this list? Call A3E at (888) 405-1742 or email [email protected].
