Luke Montague, Vice President and Brownfield Specialist, discusses the process of removing fire-related contamination from soil. FEMA has determined that removing the upper three to six inches of soil beneath fire debris eliminates fire-related contamination that could pose a threat to public health and safety. However, to verify the complete removal of hazardous materials, a qualified environmental consultant can conduct soil sampling and analysis after debris removal efforts are complete. This will help determine the type and concentrations of hazardous materials that may still be present.
The document also notes that pre-existing contamination from other sources may have already been present before the fires, which FEMA aims to avoid in federal cleanup efforts. Soil sampling efforts will reveal whether constituents of concern are left in place at hazardous concentrations and/or concentrations that pose a health risk. In such cases, a contractor with proper training, such as a State Contractor’s license with a hazardous substance removal and remedial actions certification (i.e., HAZ certification), can safely remove and dispose of these materials. Disposal companies should transport these materials to facilities licensed to accept them, and the environmental consultant can assist with proper disposal.
After completing the cleanup, the environmental consultant can collect soil samples to verify that the cleanup efforts successfully removed contaminated material to ensure the continued safety of workers, residents, the environment, and others.
This Op-Ed originally published in California City News. Please share the Op-Ed using the icons at the bottom of the page.
About the Author: Luke Montague is a Vice President of SCS Engineers and a Project Director. He is a Professional Geologist and licensed contractor with two decades of experience in environmental consulting, general contracting, commercial and residential development, and property and asset management. He has performed and reviewed hundreds of Phase I environmental site assessments (ESAs), and has completed subsurface investigations, human health risk assessments, removal action work plans, site remediation activities, geotechnical investigations, asbestos and lead-based paint surveys, and asbestos air monitoring.
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