Environmental Experts Provide Solutions for Contaminated Soils near Properties

CHATSWORTH, Calif. - Dec. 16, 2013 - PRLog -- In August of this year, the City of Los Angeles approved a plan to redevelop Jordan Downs Public Housing Community into a mixed-use development. Concerns have been raised because some of the land in the redevelop plan was used in the past for industrial and agricultural purposes.

Contaminated soil has been found in environmental studies that have shown the presence of subsurface soils that contain lead, arsenic, petroleum hydrocarbons, PCBs and naphthalene. The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has been named the lead agency for the cleanup project.

This is just one example from many that highlights the potential hazards of living or working in an area with contaminated soils.  Sites with contaminated soil can be found in all types of areas, from heavily congested cities like Los Angeles to rural regions across the country.

Soil contamination issues can occur when either a hazardous solid or liquid material mixes with the naturally occurring soil. Contaminants in the soil may be physically or chemically attached to soil particles or may be trapped in the small spaces between soil particles.  This can occur when hazardous substances are spilled or buried directly in the soil or migrate to the soil from another location.

“Most people have no idea what the land where their office or home is located was used for 20 or 50 years ago,” said Franco Seif, President of Clark Seif Clark.  “People can be at risk if they ingest, inhale or touch soils contaminated with certain chemicals.  Some contaminants can be absorbed through the skin when contact is made and others may attach to small surface soil particles that can become airborne as dust and then inhaled. Soil vapor intrusion of VOCs into structures has made headlines as potential exposure issues to building occupants.  At CSC, we have experts who specialize in identifying and testing for a wide range of soil contaminants to determine if there is a potential problem,” he continued.

CSC has sponsored an educational video about soil contamination, it can be seen at:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAmHToVhm2A



To learn more about soil contamination or other environmental, health and safety issues, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark

CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address environmental, IAQ, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.