VI/ PFAS Technical Networking Event a Success

Nov. 15, 2018 // Royal Oak, MI

ASTI Environmental and Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C. co-hosted Brews & Vapor News, a technical networking event where a panel of experts discussed today's environmental obstacles, specifically vapor intrusion and PFAS, during drinks and discussion. The event attracted professionals across a variety of industries, who were able to learn from the panel's in-depth discussion, and open, Q&A forum. Attendee's appreciated the opportunity to hear from experts, to speak candidly with them on how these issues affect their respective lines of work, and to share concerns and solutions with other professionals. A special thanks to our panel experts: Jeff Furton with Comerica Bank, Jeanne Schlaufman with the DEQ, Arthur Siegal with Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C., and Rick Welsh with ASTI Envirnonmental. Look for another technical networking event after the first of the year.

What are PFAS??

PFAS is a family of chemicals known as Per- and Poly-Fluorinated Alkyl Substances. They are very effective “surfactants”, meaning they repel both oil and water, and are therefore present in all kinds of products we use in our daily lives: for example they keep your microwave popcorn bag from getting oily and they repel water in your GOR-TEX jackets.

Recently the media has put a big spotlight on PFAS concerns, primarily because it has been detected in drinking water, yet almost every American is exposed to household items with PFAS on a regular basis. Should you be worried? For most people the short answer is no, because your daily exposure from consumer products is relatively low. The real concerns, as with every environmental contaminant, are the amount and route of exposure. So, while PFAS shouldn’t be a household concern, they are very difficult to remove when impropertly disposed of in the environment.

We've historically taken a proactive approach when it comes to our clients projects, and simply put, we've been aware of PFAS for some time now, despite its recent attention. There are specific types of properties and end uses where a purchaser or owner should be concerned about the possibility of PFAS contamination (such as former plating site or fire fighter training facilities) and this should be a consideration in your environmental due diligence process. Should you have any concerns about PFAS and its effect on your land or project, please email Rick Welsh (rwelsh@asti-env.com), ASTI"s Director of the Property Services Group, for more information.

ASTI Environmental Welcomes Tim Francis

Tim came to ASTI from Colorado with over 21 years of experience in remediation and oversight, to take on the role of Project Manager. He brings a wide range of skills to our clients including engineering, field services, and site management. He first learned about the opportunity at ASTI from, now colleague, Rick Welsh. The two met back when they both worked to clean up the site of a hazardous gasoline and diesel truck spill on highway I-70, in Vail, Colorado.

He's looking forward to his position here at ASTI, where he will manage large scale environmental remediation projects, but more importantly, is now living close to family. We presume he'll be pretty busy, but if he comes across any free time, you can find him fly-fishing and playing hockey. Please join us as we welcome Tim to ASTI, and be sure to give him some recommendations of your favorite fishing spots here in the Mitten State!

MHC Honors Rick Welsh

ASTI Environmental’s (ASTI) Director of Property Services, Mr. Rick Welsh, has been chosen for the Environmental Taskforce of the Michigan Housing Council’s (MHC) Development-Finance Committee. As ASTI has served the affordable housing industry in six states since 1985, Mr. Welsh will routinely update the Board of Directors with emerging trends in environmental due diligence and regulatory compliance, including Vapor Intrusion and PFAS, and the latest applicable changes to the Michigan State Housing & Development Authority’s (MSHDA) Qualified Allocation Plan.

The MHC is the longest serving state-wide association of affordable housing professionals in the United States, and is comprised of owners, developers, managers, and their professional service providers (environmental consultants, attorneys, architects, engineers, insurers, accountants, tax credit syndicators, market analysts) and contractors. This non-profit organization was created to advance the development, finance, management and rehabilitation of affordable housing in Michigan.

WACKERMAN HONORED

September 24, 2018, Detroit, MI: ASTI President, and founder, Tom Wackerman has been selected as one of D Business Magazine’s Top 500 most powerful business leaders in Metro Detroit, the only environmental consultant to be honored. With 40 years in the business, Mr. Wackerman established, and has guided ASTI since it’s inception (1985), and he also doubles as the firm’s Director of Incentives. With offices in Detroit, Grand Rapids and Brighton (HQ), ASTI specializes in mitigating risk and expense associated with environmental testing/cleanup, wetlands, and brownfield redevelopment and we have now completed more than 12,000 projects.

ANOTHER CREDENTIAL ADDED TO HIS RESUME

September 20, 2018, Brighton, MI: Just call ASTI's eighteen-year veteran Hydrogeologist Brian Earl "Mr. VAP" now. Under the authority of Ohio revised code section 3764.04 (B)(5) and Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3745-300-05, Mr. Earl is now a Certified Professional under the Ohio EPAs Voluntary Action Program (VAP) No. CP 387. Clients can now engage Mr. Earl to investigate potential environmental contamination due to hazardous substances, cleanup the property, and receive a Covenant-Not-to-Sue (CNS) from the State of Ohio promising that no more cleanup is needed. The VAP program was designed to maximize resources and expertise in the private sector by using qualified, experienced professionals certified by OEPA.

WACKERMAN TO ADDRESS ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS

August 31, 2018, Grand Rapids, MI:  ASTI President & Founder Tom Wackerman has been selected to address Real Estate Development and Reuse with more than 50 Economic Developers from around the State of Michigan on Thursday, September 13, 2018 from 12:30pm – 2:20pm at the Crowne Plaza Lansing West in Lansing, MI.  Co-hosted by the Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA) and International Economic Development Council (IEDC), this Economic Development Basic Course is the first step towards audience members receiving their professional certification (CeCD).  As both a certified real estate instructor and environmental trainer, Mr. Wackerman’s remarks will center on the land development process, tools available at the local level (TIF, bonds, grant, loans), eminent domain and land assembly.

A word about "PFAS"

If you live in Michigan, you may have recently been hearing the term PFAS, but it has been an environmental issue for almost 20 years, and is actively being investigated in numerous sites around the country. It is pervasive in products from fire-fighting foam to fast food wrappers to carpet and pizza boxes, and is estimated to have already impacted the majority of Americans either through using products or from the environment.

This group of compounds known as Polyflouroalkyl Substances (PFAS), includes over 2,000 individual compounds, of which only a few have been studied, and for which there is conflicting data. Expect more studies on the impacts to human health and environment from these compounds, but on a more practical and immediate basis, expect Federal and State regulations to address environmental impacts (Current EPA Advisory level is 70 ppt), and to include these compounds in environmental due diligence for high-risk properties. For additional information on the impacts and remediation options for PFAS, please speak with ASTI's Rick Welsh at 810-599-6296 or rwelsh@asti-env.com

Welcome, Rick Welsh!

Not-So-New Face Around ASTI: Welcome, Richard Welsh!

Rick came to ASTI all the way from Magnolia, Texas to lead our Property Services Group. Rick started in January to provide some overlap, and by now most of you have met him. Rick is an Environmental Professional, a Certified Project Manager, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology with over 25 years of experiences in assessment and remediation. Although we hope he never encounters the situation, Rick is also trained in Helicopter Underwater Egress! (Not sure what that is? Click Here)

With his cross-country move, he looks forward to rediscovering all of the beauty that Michigan has to offer, because he actually grew up in Michigan and is planning on many trips to his family home in Traverse City. Join us as we welcome Rick to ASTI, and welcome back another native son! 

Onto The Next Chapter: George Kandler Retires

For over 33 years, ASTI has provided environmental assessment and redevelopment services to business and governments across the country and overseas. For most of those years, George Kandler has been a big part of ASTI's commitment to deliver the highest quality product in the industry. But, after 43 years in the environmental business, George retired at the end of May. He will continue to work with ASTI on special projects, but he will undoubtedly be devoting more time to carpentry, fishing, and rebuilding his boat. While we're sad that he won't be around the office as much, we're happy for his transition to family time and the opportunity to officially unplug (a rare and fine thing these days)...

To continue to provide the same great service and creative solutions you have come to expect, Rick Welsh (810-599-6296, rwelsh@asti-env.com) joined us last January to transition into George's position. Of course, Anthony Spencer (810-599-7927, aspencer@asti-env.com) and Brian Kuberski (810-599-8426, bkuberski@asti-env.com) our seasoned Team Leaders for Phase I ESAs and Phase II Investigations, respectively, will continue to be project managers. If they have been your primary contact, that will not change.