We've posted recently that the standard for Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments will be changing in 2013 (the new standard will be called ASTM E1527-13), and with this comes some potentially significant changes. One of these potential changes is a greater emphasis on assessing the risk of Vapor Intrusion or Vapor Encroachment during the Phase 1 ESA process.

The concept of Vapor Intrusion or Encroachment has been around for a while, but has become more prominent due to better science and modeling of the risks that a relatively small amount of carcinogenic vapors can pose to human health.

The potential ASTM E1527-13 change regarding vapor intrusion may be achieved simply by clarifying that the definition of a "release" does in fact include contamination in vapor phase (not just in soil or groundwater) - a small change in appearance, but it could provide additional impetus for consultants to assess vapor risk in a more systematic way. There has been a fair amount of debate within the environmental consulting industry over how to assess for vapor risks - whether it is (and has been) a consideration during the normal Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment process, or whether a separate Vapor Screening report should be done.