In a typical sequence of Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, what are the general purposes of Phase I and Phase II respectively?

In a typical sequence of Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, what are the general purposes of Phase I and Phase II respectively?

• A. Phase I: identify; Phase II: evaluate
• B. Phase I: evaluate; Phase II: identify
• C. Both phases provide only identification
• D. Phase II replaces Phase I

Answer: (B)

In these assessments, the process moves from spotting potential problems to measuring actual contamination. Phase I focuses on identifying potential environmental concerns and conditions that might indicate contamination. It relies on records review, historical site usage, interviews, and a site walkthrough to flag recognizable environmental conditions and to determine whether further investigation is needed. Phase II then takes over to evaluate those concerns by collecting and analyzing samples (soil, groundwater, building materials, etc.) to determine whether contamination is present, what substances are involved, and how extensive it is. The data from Phase II provide the evidence needed for risk assessment and cleanup decisions. So, the general purpose is to identify potential issues in Phase I and to evaluate the extent and seriousness of contamination in Phase II.

In these assessments, the process moves from spotting potential problems to measuring actual contamination. Phase I focuses on identifying potential environmental concerns and conditions that might indicate contamination. It relies on records review, historical site usage, interviews, and a site walkthrough to flag recognizable environmental conditions and to determine whether further investigation is needed. Phase II then takes over to evaluate those concerns by collecting and analyzing samples (soil, groundwater, building materials, etc.) to determine whether contamination is present, what substances are involved, and how extensive it is. The data from Phase II provide the evidence needed for risk assessment and cleanup decisions. So, the general purpose is to identify potential issues in Phase I and to evaluate the extent and seriousness of contamination in Phase II.