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FAQ
How can I protect my property investment?
How can I protect my property investment?
As a good first step, you can inspect and investigate any home, business or property you plan to own or operate for environmental risks. Toxics Targeting provides reports that compile government data for up to 27 toxic site categories on and around any address in New York State. Identified sites are mapped and profiled in a report that helps real estate buyers, Phase I consultants, lawyers and real estate professionals conduct due diligence to fulfill the "all appropriate inquiry" protocol. Reports are easy to review.
Where does Toxics Targeting get its information?
Where does Toxics Targeting get its information?
We compile in-depth data from local, state and federal government sources for more than 500,000 known or potential toxic sites across New York. We provide extensive archival information now withheld from public disclosure due to homeland security concerns. Much of our information is unavailable from any other single source.
What are toxic pollutants?
What are toxic pollutants?
Common pollutants include industrial wastes, gasoline, fuel oil, chlorinated solvents, pesticides, lead, mercury and other heavy metals. Many toxics resist natural degradation and contaminate air, soil, rivers, streams and groundwater. Solvents and a gasoline additive called MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) produce soil gas vapors that can intrude into homes and buildings. Touching, breathing or consuming toxics can cause health hazards, including cancer, birth defects, nerve damage and chronic ailments, even at low-level exposures.
Are environmental hazards common?
Are environmental hazards common?
Toxic sites are widespread in most New York communities even though the vast majority of properties are not heavily polluted. Leaking gasoline and petroleum tanks and spills are typically the single most widespread threat. Abandoned landfills or toxic dumps are less numerous, but can contaminate large areas. Hazards in thousands of communities have polluted homes, businesses, schools, water supplies, places of worship, wetlands, waterways, parks and protected environmental areas. Many toxic sites continue to exceed clean up standards decades after being reported.
Can I see pollution problems?
Can I see pollution problems?
You can spot visual clues to environmental and public health threats, including oil sheens, rusted 55-gallon drums, petroleum-contaminated dirt, posted warning signs, monitoring wells, vacuum trucks, groundwater treatment systems and indoor air protection systems.
If you see or smell obvious chemical hazards, avoid exposure and call the NYS Spill Hotline: 1-800-457-7362 or the National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802.
Who typically uses Toxics Targeting's Reports?
Who typically uses Toxics Targeting's Reports?
Engineers, environmental consultants, homebuyers, developers, businesses, home inspectors, concerned citizens, lenders, attorneys, appraisers, drinking water suppliers, government agencies, planners, schools, religious institutions and civic organizations all use Toxics Targeting's reports.
What else can I do to avoid buying a contaminated property?
What else can I do to avoid buying a contaminated property?
Residential property sellers in New York are required to report selected on-site environmental risks to buyers, but can avoid disclosure by reducing the asking price by $500.00 as provided by law. Click here for New York's Property Condition Disclosure Act form (pdf). You can insist on full disclosure of known toxic risks. You can also learn a property's history by questioning owners, realtors and neighbors or researching historic maps or photos.
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What is a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment?
What is a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment?
Lenders often require a Phase I before granting mortgage loans for commercial, industrial or multi-family properties. It includes an Environmental Database Report, a visual inspection of the subject and adjoining properties by an environmental professional and research into the past use of those properties. The current "all appropriate inquiry" Phase I protocol (ASTM 1527 05) shields property buyers from federal Superfund clean up liability. Toxics Targeting's reports have been used to conduct hundreds of thousands of Phase I's across New York State.
Why check homes, businesses and properties for toxic pollution threats?
Why check homes, businesses and properties for toxic pollution threats?
Toxic dumps, landfills, leaking underground tanks and other environmental contamination sources can drastically reduce the values of homes, properties and businesses or restrict property use. Unsuspecting purchasers of polluted property can be held financially liable for hidden problems caused by previous owners or adjoining property owners. Cleaning up pollution hazards can be extremely expensive, technically difficult and time-consuming. Living on or near a contaminated site can endanger your health.