Migration of Harmful Substances

Former use of a site is not the only potential contributor to environmental contaminants. When considering a site for an ECE program, it is important to observe nearby sites and activities that might create environmental exposures.

Some nearby sites that might warrant attention include the following:

• Designated hazardous sites (examples: National Priorities List or Superfund sites, state listed sites, brownfields properties, other hazardous waste sites).
• Nearby business, service, or facility that might release hazardous materials into the environment (examples: auto repair, hair or nail salon, gas station, factory, farm).
• Transportation infrastructure that could result in a greater risk of hazardous exposures (examples: rail routes carrying harmful substances, transportation transfer points, trucking facilities).
• Threats posed by chemical contaminants migrating on-site from run-off, flooding, wind erosion, or vapor intrusion.

Chapter 4, Nearby Sites, has more information and examples of types of nearby sites that might cause environmental exposures.