Our Environmental Consulting Services

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

 The objective of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment is to gather sufficient information to develop an independent professional opinion about the environmental condition of a property and to identify actual or potential environmental contamination which may impact a property’s value. Completion of a Phase I ESA will also allow the user to satisfy one of the requirements to qualify for the landowner liability protection (innocent landowner defense) from CERCLA liability.

 

Phase II Environmental Site Assessment

 The objective of a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment is to evaluate the nature and extent of contamination and to assess the significance of the contamination relative to established threshold levels or some other risk-based criteria. Crystal & Associates Investments, LLC collect soil matrix, soil gas, and groundwater samples to determine the lateral and vertical extent of contaminants. Assessment is often conducted in phases, which may include a preliminary site assessment, and one or more subsequent phases of assessment. The assessment involves working within established regulatory agency guidelines for sampling and reporting.

 

Crystal & Associates Investments, LLC remediation projects included treatment of petroleum hydrocarbons, crude oil, metals, solvents, pesticides, herbicides, PCBs, asbestos, and lead-based paint.

Underground Storage Tank (UST) Management, Contamination Assessments and Remediation Services

 Crystal & Associates Investments, LLC has provided environmental consulting on numerous underground storage tank (UST) removals and contamination remediation services at a variety of sites. Our staff has expertise with the requirements of federal, state, and local regulatory acts governing USTs, leaking USTs, and available state reimbursement funds to clean up leaking UST sites. We provide the following services:

  • Site Characterization and Investigatory Work Plans

  • Local and State UST Registration requirements

  • Subsurface Geophysical Surveying to assess for the presence of buried tanks

  • LUST Regulatory Reporting requirements

  • Assessments for petroleum and hazardous contaminants

  • Soil gas, soil, sediment, ground water, and surface water sampling/monitoring programs

  • Contaminant plume delineation and modeling

  • Field screening using geophysics, direct push, and other sampling techniques

  • Monitored natural attenuation (MNA) evaluations

  • Remedial action system design, construction over-sight, and operation and maintenance programs

  • Remedial alternatives screening analyses/feasibility studies

  • Innovative in-situ remediation programs

  • Tank removals, closure, and compliance inspections

  • RCRA permitting, risk assessments, and closures

NPDES/Erosion Control Assessments

Crystal & Associates Investments, LLC provides Erosion and Sediment Control Monitoring Service that evaluates construction projects from pre-construction to site observation during development and job completion.

 

Crystal & Associates Investments, LLC Erosion Control and Monitoring services include:

  • NPDES Monitoring and Reporting.

  • Storm water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs).

  • NPDES Permitting Assistance.

  • Best Management Practices.

Radon Testing and Mitigation Service

Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air we breathe. While we cannot see, smell or taste radon, it can be found all over the U.S in all types of buildings, offices, schools and homes. Crystal & Associates Investments, LLC provides the following Radon Services:

  • Radon Testingusing an EPA approved test kit.

  • Radon Mitigation 

Mold Inspection and Remediation

Molds (sometimes referred to as "black mold") are a subset of fungi that produce fluffy or powdery growth on surfaces. Molds are ubiquitous, the most common form of fungus on earth, and may grow at high levels indoors, in a home or building, if the right environmental conditions exist. Toxic molds need moisture and the right nutrients to grow and are most commonly found in areas of high humidity, water/pipe leaks, flooding, damp basements or crawl spaces, many kinds of house plants, cracked or peeling paint, bathroom tiles, blocked gutters and more.

Excessive exposure to molds can lead to adverse health issues for humans, ranging from allergic responses to irritation associated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to neurological damage and more depending on the sensitivity of the individual.

 

Crystal & Associates Investments, LLC provides the following Mold Services:

  • MoldInspection.

  • Mold Remediation. 

Asbestos Surveys and Abatement

 Asbestos is a mineral found naturally in rocks. When crushed, it divides into millions of microscopic fibers. These fibers have been used in insulation and fire-resistant products such as flooring, roofing materials, ceiling tiles, piping insulation, sheetrock and various insulation and fireproofing materials. Intact and undisturbed asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) generally do not pose a health risk. However, they may become hazardous and pose a risk when they are disturbed or damaged by releasing harmful fibers that cause serious health problems. When these fibers are inhaled into the lungs, three major diseases may occur: Asbestosis, Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma.

Due to its known health risks, asbestos-containing materials (ACM) have largely been phased out of construction materials since the 1970s. However, buildings constructed after this phase-out have been known to contain ACMs. Therefore, an asbestos survey is recommended as part of an initial investigation of a Property and prior to any construction/demolition activities of a Property. This survey and the associated sampling is the only way for an owner or prospective owner to confirm the presence or absence of asbestos. A building is less likely to contain asbestos if it was built after 1980; however, sampling is the only way to identify the presence or absence of asbestos.

 

Crystal & Associates Investments, LLC provides the following Asbestos Services:

  • Crystal & Associates Investments, LLC will perform a visual survey and initial sampling of suspect ACMs, in accordance with the federal Environmental Protection Agency-Asbestos Hazardous Emergency Response Act (EPA-AHERA) regulations, throughout the building and, if applicable, in areas where known construction activities are to occur.

  • If laboratory analysis confirms the presence of asbestos,Crystal & Associates Investments, LLC will work with client in the abatement of these materials and/or in the development of an Asbestos Operations and Maintenance Program developed to provide site-specific guidelines for working in the vicinity of the confirmed ACMs.

License Lead Inspection and Lead Risk Assessor

Why should you have your home inspected or assessed for risks?

  • Your child has been diagnosed as having lead poisoning. The most common home-based source of lead exposure is deteriorating lead-based paint and the resulting dust.
  • You live in a home built before 1978 where small children are or will be living.
  • You are about to remodel or do anything that will disturb lead-based paint or generate lead-based paint dust and chips that can harm you and your family.
  • You are renting or buying a home. When buying a home, federal law allows the purchaser the opportunity to conduct testing to determine whether lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards are present. This is especially important if you have (or plan to have) young children in the home. Learn your rights before buying a home.
  • You are concerned about possible lead exposure to you, your family and pets, or visitors.

What is the difference between a Lead Inspection and Risk Assessment?

An inspection is a surface-by-surface investigation to determine whether there is lead-based paint in a home or child-occupied facility, and where it is located. Inspections can be legally performed only by certified inspectors or risk assessors. Lead-based paint inspections determine the presence of lead-based paint. It is particularly helpful in determining whether lead-based paint is present prior to purchasing, renting, or renovating a home, and identifying potential sources of lead exposure at any time.

 A risk assessment is an on-site investigation to determine the presence, type, severity, and   location of lead-based paint hazards (including lead hazards in paint, dust, and soil) and   provides suggested ways to control them. Only certified risk assessors can legally perform risk assessments. Lead-based paint risk assessments are particularly helpful in determining sources of current exposure and in designing possible solutions.

You can also have a combined inspection and risk assessment.  With any of these options, our risk assessor or inspector will provide you with a written report of findings.

What do you do if they find lead-based paint in your home?

Lead exposure is serious business. To protect you and your family from lead hazards, our certified risk assessor can assist you in reviewing the report, and help you decide whether abatement (eliminating lead hazards) or continued good maintenance (managing potential lead hazards) is a better option for you. 

Our License Lead Risk assessor can help you decide among these options.

(Sources: EPA/Lead/Understanding-Inspection-Risk-Assessment, and Abatement).