Key brownfield, remediation, and compliance terminology — defined in plain language.
A
Assessment
The process of evaluating a site to determine the presence, nature, and extent of contamination, typically through Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments.
B
Berm
A ledge, wall, or earthen embankment used to prevent runoff, contain spills, or screen views on a remediation site.
Bioaccumulation
The gradual accumulation of a substance (such as a pesticide or heavy metal) in an organism's body, often reaching harmful concentrations.
Bioremediation
A treatment method that uses naturally occurring microorganisms to break down hazardous substances into less toxic or non-toxic substances.
Brownfield
A former industrial or commercial site where redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.
BTEX
A group of volatile organic compounds — Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene — commonly found at petroleum-contaminated sites such as former gas stations.
C
Capping
A remediation technique that involves placing a protective barrier (clay, soil, or synthetic liner) over contaminated soil to prevent exposure and migration.
CERCLA
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (1980), also known as Superfund, which established a federal program to clean up hazardous waste sites.
COC
Chain of Custody — a documented record tracing the possession and handling of environmental samples from collection through laboratory analysis to ensure data integrity.
Contaminant of Concern (COC)
A specific chemical or substance identified at a site that poses a potential risk to human health or the environment and requires evaluation or remediation.
D
DNAPL
Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid — a liquid contaminant that is heavier than water and sinks through groundwater, forming pools that are difficult to remediate (e.g., chlorinated solvents).
E
EPA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment through regulation and enforcement.
Exposure Pathway
The route a contaminant takes from its source to a receptor (human or ecological), including release, transport, contact, and uptake.
F
Feasibility Study (FS)
A phase in the CERCLA remedial process that evaluates and compares potential remediation alternatives for a contaminated site based on effectiveness, cost, and implementability.
Friable Asbestos
Asbestos-containing material that can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure, releasing hazardous fibers into the air.
G
Groundwater
Water located beneath the earth's surface in soil pore spaces and fractures of geologic formations, a key pathway for contaminant migration.
H
Hazardous Waste
Waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment, regulated under RCRA and state programs due to toxicity, ignitability, corrosivity, or reactivity.
I
In Situ Remediation
Treatment of contaminated soil or groundwater in place, without excavating or pumping it out, using methods like chemical oxidation, bioremediation, or air sparging.
L
LNAPL
Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid — a liquid contaminant that is lighter than water and floats on the groundwater table (e.g., petroleum hydrocarbons).
M
Manifest
A shipping document (e.g., EPA Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest) that accompanies hazardous waste from generation through transport to disposal, tracking it cradle-to-grave.
MCL
Maximum Contaminant Level — the highest level of a contaminant allowed in drinking water, set by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Monitoring Well
A well installed into the ground to measure groundwater levels, collect samples for chemical analysis, and track contaminant plume movement over time.
N
NAPL
Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid — a liquid contaminant that does not dissolve in water and exists as a separate phase in the subsurface, categorized as LNAPL or DNAPL.
No Further Action (NFA)
A regulatory determination that a site requires no additional assessment or remediation, effectively closing out the site under the applicable cleanup program.
P
PAH
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons — a group of organic compounds formed during incomplete combustion, common at former industrial sites and known for their persistence and toxicity.
PCB
Polychlorinated Biphenyls — synthetic organic chemicals formerly used in electrical equipment and other industrial applications, now banned due to toxicity and regulated under TSCA.
Phase I ESA
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment — a non-intrusive investigation reviewing historical records, site reconnaissance, and regulatory files to identify potential environmental concerns.
Phase II ESA
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment — an intrusive investigation involving soil, groundwater, or soil vapor sampling and laboratory analysis to confirm contamination identified in a Phase I.
Plume
A body of contaminated groundwater or vapor migrating from a source area through the subsurface, the shape and extent of which are mapped during site characterization.
Potable Water
Water that is safe for human consumption, meeting drinking water standards for chemical, physical, and microbiological quality.
R
RCRA
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (1976), the federal law governing the disposal of solid and hazardous waste, establishing a cradle-to-grave tracking system.
Record of Decision (ROD)
A public document under CERCLA that records the selected remedial action for a Superfund site, including the rationale and cleanup standards.
Remediation
The process of cleaning up or containing contaminated soil, groundwater, or vapor to reduce risks to human health and the environment to acceptable regulatory levels.
Risk Assessment
A systematic process for evaluating the potential adverse health effects on humans or ecosystems from exposure to environmental contaminants at a site.
RSL
Regional Screening Level — EPA-derived risk-based concentrations used to evaluate contaminated sites and prioritize areas for further investigation or cleanup.
S
Site Characterization
The process of collecting and analyzing data about a site's geology, hydrogeology, and contamination to understand conditions and inform remediation decisions.
Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE)
An in situ remediation technology that uses vacuum to pull volatile contaminants from unsaturated soil into extraction wells for above-ground treatment.
Solvent
A liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances, often referring to industrial solvents like PCE and TCE that become groundwater contaminants at brownfield sites.
Source Area
The location where contaminants were originally released to the environment, typically containing the highest concentrations and serving as an ongoing source of plume migration.
Superfund
The common name for the federal program established under CERCLA to investigate and clean up the nation's most contaminated hazardous waste sites.
T
TSCA
The Toxic Substances Control Act (1976), federal legislation regulating the manufacture, processing, distribution, and disposal of toxic chemicals including PCBs and asbestos.
V
Vapor Intrusion
The migration of volatile chemicals from contaminated groundwater or soil into overlying buildings, potentially causing indoor air quality concerns for occupants.
VOC
Volatile Organic Compound — organic chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature, including solvents and fuel components that commonly contaminate brownfield sites.
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