Analyze Potential Investments for Soil Contamination Before Risking Liability

If you are considering buying real estate for a business venture, you are likely aware that there is always a certain amount of risk involved. The best investors know the importance of minimizing risk, particularly as it relates to assuming potential future liability. A potential issue may relate to soil contamination, as it is very possible that you may ultimately be held responsible for existing soil conditions and any harmful issues that it may cause. Of course, there are methods available that help you protect your investment while also reducing the dangers of any contaminants that may exist in the soil.

Great Danger in Assuming Risk

There are a number of examples in which companies have faced stiff penalties, fines and even lawsuits due to existing soil conditions. These costs have a real impact on profitability and there are countless instances in which businesses have had to close for an extended period of time or even permanently. Sellers are often hesitant to agree to a deal in which they remain liable for these conditions, and as a buyer you should be justifiably concerned over assuming this risk. Not only can soil contamination be harmful to your bottom line, but it can also have a serious impact on your reputation as well. Every effort should be made to avoid contaminated soil from having such an impact, not just because of the negative financial effect, but also because it is simply the responsible thing to do.

Environmental Effects and Adverse Health Effects Are Many

The effect of soil contamination varies depending on the type of contamination, though the more serious effects of soil contamination are very troubling. These adverse health effects include:

• Birth defects
• Cancer
• Sickness
• Death

Soil contamination has effects that go beyond the impact on humans, as such contamination also has an effect on the environment in both the short-term and the long-term as well. Crops, drinking water, plants and animals are all affected by contaminated soil, which has an obvious and far-reaching impact on just about every aspect of life.

H2 Environmental Can Help

There are a number of reasons to utilize the services offered by H2 Environmental, as we are able to test for a number of contaminants that may exist in the soil of your potential or current investment, including each of the following:

• BETX
• Metals (including lead)
• PNAs
• Priority Pollutants
• Volatile Organics

You can utilize our services to test and assess the soil on your property, and we are also able to offer you consultation with regard to a plan for remediation and oversight. Make sure to contact us at your earliest convenience so we can begin the process of soil testing and identifying any contaminants that may exist.