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Read up on the latest environmental consulting news from Paul Sakson Environmental.
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What are PCBs?
PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, have been used as a coolant and lubricating fluid in a variety of electrical products due to their good heat insulation properties. Hence they have historically been used in pole mounted and ground transformers, fluorescent lighting fixtures and equipment using hydraulic oils. PCBs are generally odorless and colorless and tend to persist in the environment. Aroclor…
Do I Need to Sample a Tank Area?
Many child care centers are located at sites where there is (or was) oil heat, or other uses that had storage tanks, such as commercial properties or former service stations. There may be aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) or underground storage tanks (USTs) that stored #2 fuel oil, or some other petroleum product. Are samples required for child care center licensing…
Historic Fill Sampling for Child Care Centers
Many urban and low elevation areas in New Jersey have been mapped by the New Jersey Geological Survey as having historic fill. Fill material often contains metals, semi-volatile compounds and petroleum hydrocarbons. The first step is to confirm if mapped historic fill is actually present. This is generally accomplished via drilling small diameter holes in various areas of the property. …
When is Air Sampling Required
Air sampling is generally required when a child care center is located (or co-located) in a building that was used for dry cleaning, nail salon, petroleum storage, funeral services, or other potentially high hazard use group. The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) should be contacted to determine the requirements for indoor air sampling, although oftentimes they leave professional judgment…
How Much Does Environmental Compliance Cost?
When opening a childcare center, it’s important to budget environmental compliance costs. Following are approximate costs one may expect: NJDEP Compliance: Preliminary Assessment (PA): $2,500-$4,000 Site Investigation (limited sampling, if required): $2,000-$5,000 NJDEP Fee: $0 NJDEP Grant for PA: -$1,500 NJDOH Compliance (if needed): Indoor Environmental Health Assessment: $2,000-$4,000 NJDOH Initial Fee: $1.500 Radon Testing: $500 to $2,000 With proper…
Are there any NJDOH requirements for my site?
We get this question often from child care center owners looking to move into a new space or expand an existing center. The NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) has requirements set forth in N.J.A.C. 8-50 in addition to their Indoor Environments Program website. Generally, if a building was constructed prior to 1979, or the property was formerly used as a gas…
Plan It. Build It. (And try not to change it).
When planning a new play area for a child care center, it is important that the Licensed Site Remediation Professional know and understand the play area’s construction, size, and location on the property. This is needed to produce an accurate Response Action Outcome (RAO) letter which satisfies NJDEP requirements for child care licensing. The same could be said for indoor…
Play Area Soil Sampling
When opening a new child care center or expanding an existing play area, oftentimes soil samples are needed for compliance. Soil samples are generally required when there is a potential for children to have direct contact with any site contaminants, such as pesticides from historic agriculture use. The potential for direct contact includes play areas constructed on natural grass or…
Have a Center with Well Water?
While most child care centers receive potable water from community water suppliers (NJ American Water, Municipal Utilities Authority to name a few), many centers in rural areas receive their water from water supply wells. In order to certify the water quality, the NJDEP’s Bureau of Safe Drinking Water reviews all sampling data and will issue a Certification of Acceptable Drinking…
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