ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT & STUDIES (SOILS) Sampling and analysis of soils to assess risk and protect investments
Download the service sheet in PDF
Business Challenge
Whether buying, selling or simply occupying land, private companies, landowners, property developers and members of the general public are all concerned by soil degradation and contamination. Measures have been taken in many countries to prevent soil degradation and ensure contaminated sites are cleaned up.
Companies must be aware of these measures and their environmental responsibilities if they are to comply with legislation, limit future liability and avoid adverse publicity.
Solution
What is Environmental Assessment & Studies (Soils)? Environmental Assessment & Studies (Soils) is a range of services which provides businesses with actionable information on the condition of a specific plot of land. It can tell them the state of the land on which they operate, help them assess liabilities and risks to health and the environment, and identify proper measures to clean up contaminated land.
What are the key benefits? - Identify possible risks
- Assess and control potential liabilities
- Facilitate negotiation of transactions
- Demonstrate environmental compliance
- Uphold reputable image of the company
- Reassure employees and the public
- Lower insurance costs
- Avoid land value depreciation
Why Choose Bureau Veritas?
Recognition Founded in 1828, Bureau Veritas is a worldwide leader specialized in QHSE and social responsibility services. Certified to ISO 9001 for all of its activities throughout the world, the company actively participates with professional authorities for the development of international standards and regulations.
Knowledge and expertise Technical knowledge and availability of our qualified local teams, able to provide packaged and targeted information, are strengths appreciated by our clients
Network With a network of 700 offices and laboratories and over 26,000 employees in more that 140 countries, Bureau Veritas serves 280,000 customers in many different industries across the world.
Personnalized service Bureau Veritas adapts its services to your needs and helps you identify your legal environmental obligations.
Soil contamination occurs when hazardous substances are either spilled or buried directly in soil, or shift to soil from a spill that has occurred elsewhere. Over 600 contaminants and their threshold concentrations are defined by regulations.
To avoid checking for the existance of all contaminants, a preliminary site assessment should be made to determine whether further soil sampling and chemical analysis is necessary.
The laboratory test results will tell you if your site is contaminated and if it needs to be cleaned up in accordance with regulations.
There are three general approaches possible:
1) soil can be excavated from the ground and either treated or disposed of;
2) soil can be left in the ground and treated on site;
3) soil can be left in the ground and contained to prevent contamination becoming more widespread, reaching plants, animals, or humans.
Treatment methods can include:
1) flushing contaminants out of the soil using water, chemical solvents, or air;
2) destroying the contaminants by incineration;
3) encouraging natural organisms in the soil to break down contaminants;
4) adding substances to the soil to absorb contaminants and prevent them spreading.
Contact an expert
Bureau Veritas Health, Safety and Environment Mailbox
Send an e-mail
Click here