Over the past few years more attention has been given to radon exposure and soil contamination for Mult-family communities. Recently HUD’s Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control (OHHLHC) participated on a team of Federal Agency representatives that drafted the Federal Radon Action Plan (the Plan) (see: http://www.epa.gov/radon/action_plan.html). The effort was led by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Plan was released to the public by EPA at the National Healthy Homes conference in June 2011. One of the primary goals of the Plan is the incorporation of radon testing and mitigation into HUD programs. The Office of Multifamily Development reviewed industry practices, including Lending programs of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, for the detection of radon and remediation. The resulting process presented in this document adapts industry best practices to Multifamily Housing Insurance Programs in such a manner as to improve the health and safety of housing residents while not creating excessive demands on project development.
NEW REAL ESTATE CONCERNS
The migration of VOCs into the breathing zones of commercial properties being offered for sale has recently become an issue for surrounding properties, including residential. In the past, VOC concerns have been limited to the clean up of soil and groundwater. In March of 2008, the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) published a new standard for dealing with vapor intrusion into living spaces — “ASTM E2600-08 Standard Practice for Assessment of Vapor Intrusion into Structures on Property Involved in a Real Estate Transaction.”
Contamination issues are normally first discovered in commercial properties during a Phase I Environmental Inspection. Once a consultant determines there is an issue with a subject property, the Standard provides a methodology for evaluating surrounding residential and commercial properties and guidance for mitigation when contamination exists.
To purchase a copy of the guide click on the ASTM logo below. Select the Scotsman Guide image to read an informative article on Vapor Intrusion reprinted from the May 2008 issue.
