Let's Talk Remediation

In this 47th episode, I discuss What Is A Phase 3 Environmental Site Assessment? A Phase 3 Environmental Site Assessment ("ESA") is recommended when the concern of possible contamination was recommended by a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment to proceed with a Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment.  And in the Phase 2, during the sampling, contamination was confirmed. A Phase 3 Enviro...

In this 46th episode, I discuss What Is A Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment? A Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment ("ESA") is the second step in understanding the level of possible environmental contamination risk is associated with a particular property. A Phase 2 Environmental Assessment involves sampling of soil, soil gas/vapor and groundwater to determine if contamination exist...

In this 45th episode, I discuss What Is A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment? A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment ("ESA") is the first step in understanding the level of possible environmental contamination risk is associated with a particular property. A Phase 1 Environmental Assessment is a historical of a property, from when it was raw land to its current use today.  Based on t...

In this 44th episode, I discuss What Are Carbon Numbers and How Do They Relate to Environmental Remediation? Carbon Numbers refer to the number of Carbon Atoms in a particular molecule.  The number of Carbon Atoms directly correlate to the weight of the molecule.  This weight is used for identification of the substance which is also referred to as qualification and from that identification, the qu...

In this 43rd episode, I discuss The Dinosaur Method of "Dig and Haul" As A Remediation Method. "Digging and Hauling" away contaminated Soil and Water has been done for decades.  It's out of sight and out of mind.  However, there is a strong push to change this age old practice to newer alternatives that actually address the problem, rather than relocating the problem by tr...

In this 42nd episode, I discuss "What is Environmental Remediation?" Environmental Remediation is the removal by some means of pollution or contamination from Soil, Water or Air due to it not being naturally occurring and as such is causing harm or potential harm to Human and Animal Health and/or Our Environment. Environmental Remediation has a method or process which typically covers An...

In this 41st episode, we celebrate Hanby Environmental's story from beginning to current day. I tell the story of our founding by Our Founder, Inventor, Namesake and My Grandfather John David Hanby. I also provide some background on My Grandfather that lead him to his discovery and My Grandmother's push to create a business from it. Forty years in business from March 6, 1986 to March 6,...

In this 40th episode, I discuss "What Are Remediation Technology Descriptions for Cleaning Up Contaminated Sites?" In this episode of Let's Talk Remediation, I briefly go over the different Remediation Technologies and Medias that can be used as options. As additional insight, I provide examples of how the use of a combination of Remediation Technologies and/or Media is The Best App...

In this 39th episode, I discuss "What Are The Main Hazard Classifications for Hazardous Materials?" Hazardous Materials for Transportation purposes are classified into (9) main classification categories.  The purpose of the classification categories are to provide a quick way to know the types of hazards that a product or material poses and by having visual labels on the exterior packagi...

In this 38th episode, I discuss What is "Waste?" (Hazardous vs. Non-Hazardous). Waste refers to any substance, material, or byproduct that is discarded, unwanted, or unusable after its primary purpose has been served. It encompasses solid (garbage, trash), liquid (sewage), and gaseous emissions, resulting from human, household, agricultural, or industrial activities. Effective management...

In this 37th episode, I discuss What is "CERCLA?" The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), enacted in 1980 and commonly known as Superfund , authorizes the EPA to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. It enforces a "polluter pays" principle, holding responsible parties liable for cleanup co...

In this 36th episode, I discuss What is "RCRA?" The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), enacted in 1976, is the primary U.S. federal law governing the disposal of solid and hazardous waste, aiming to protect human health and the environment. It establishes a " cradle-to-grave " system for managing hazardous waste from generation to final disposal, while also promotin...

In this 35th episode, I discuss What Are The "NCP and NCP List" and What's Their Purpose? During this episode, I go through what The NCP and NCP List are and their intended purpose of regulating the products that are used during an Oil Spill or Hazardous Substance Release involving "Navigable Bodies of Water and Their Adjoining Shorelines."   The NCP List is a product sche...

In this 34th episode, I discuss The Top Environmental Remediation Technologies Recognized by The US EPA. During this episode, I go through and brief discuss The Top 25 Environmental Remediation Technologies recognized by The US EPA. As always, I suggest that a combination of methods based upon circumstances, it typically the best approach to having the most success in Environmental Remediation. &q...

In this 33rd episode, I discuss What Are The Common Water Remediation Options for AF3 (PFAS/PFOS)? The complex remediation need of AF3 (AFFF) containing PFAS/PFOS has options that fall into two categories; Separation/Capture and Destruction. Separation/Capture technologies isolate the PFAS/PFOS and move it from the liquid by having it attach to another material.  The other material acts like an ab...

In this 32nd episode, I discuss Which Regulatory Bodies Are Involved in Environmental Remediation? When Environmental Remediation is taking place, there could be both Federal and State Agencies involved.  The driver as to if both are involved is the size of the project and if it involves water.  Water remediation typically involves more agencies of both types; Federal and State.   Typically, The S...

In this 31st episode, I discuss What Are The Most Common Water Remediation Methods?  Common water remediation methods focus on physical, chemical, and biological processes, with major techniques including filtration, reverse osmosis (RO), disinfection (chlorine, UV), boiling and pump-and-treat (for groundwater), plus bioremediation (microbes, enzymes) and in-situ treatments like soil vapor extract...

In this 30th episode, I discuss What Are The Most Common Soil Remediation Methods?  Common soil remediation methods include excavation/disposal, bioremediation, thermal treatment, chemical treatment (like oxidation/reduction) and physical treatments (like soil washing or vapor extraction), often categorized as in-situ (in place) or ex-situ (excavated) and chosen based on contaminant type and conce...

In this 29th episode, I discuss What Are The Most Common Environmental Contaminates Found in Water?  I just wanted to have a brief overview of the most commonly found environmental contaminates found in water.  Environmental Contaminates are those that pose a risk to human and environmental health. The most common types are microorganisms (like bacteria, viruses, and parasites), inorganic chemical...

In this 28th episode, I discuss What Are The Most Common Environmental Contaminates Found in Soil?  I just wanted to have a brief overview of the most. commonly found environmental contaminates found in soil.  Environmental Contaminates are those that pose a risk to human and environmental health. The most common types are Heavy Metals, Petroleum Hydrocarbons, Pesticides and Herbicides and Industr...

In this 27th episode I review a current event of "Half A Million Gallons of Liquid Asphalt Spilled into Chicago River." In an article I ran across, it provided details about this recent event of Half A Million Gallons of Liquid Asphalt Spilled into Chicago River.  Although the article was recently published in The Chicago Sun Times on October 31, 2025 by Brett Chase, it notes that the ev...

In this 26th episode, I discuss how the age old slogan "Time is Money" applies to the Remediation Industry. A recent dialog I had with a Prospect, prompted me to cover this topic. During a Remediation project, waiting for analytical results to be returned to know how your efforts are progressing, will cost both time and money.  Having to sit ideal, is not efficient. Using reliable field...

In this 25th episode, I discuss "What is a Superfund Site? Superfund Sites are another term often heard throughout the Environmental and Remediation Industries.  Superfund Sites are locations where The US EPA has determined there is known hazardous materials and contamination that poses a risk to human health and the environment.  Once added to the list of Superfund Sites, The EPA begins to f...

In this 24th episode, I discuss "What is a Brownfield Site?" From time to time in The Environmental and Remediation Industries, you hear this term "Brownfield," so I wanted to discuss what it means. A Brownfield Site is previously developed property, that based on its past use, is either known or perceived to have contamination issues and so for it's redevelopment and/or r...

In this 23rd episode, I discuss "What is a Representative Sample?" In remediation efforts, it's important to use "representative samples" in order to get a better understanding of the remediation progress.  As the name implies, a representative sample, is a sample that represents the surrounding nearby area, such that it can be assumed that for the most part, the surroundi...