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Air permits from regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), often require the measurement of a plume's opacity as the plume is emitted from a stationary point source (for example, smokestacks) in the outdoor ambient environment. While such opacity is often visually measured by human observers as “certified smoke readers,” an opacity measurement method using…
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Climate change assessment and risk management is becoming an increasingly important topic in the field of environmental assessment. An ASTM task group is developing proposed new standards that cover all aspects of climate change assessment. The first standard to be approved by this task group is ASTM E2718 , Guide for Financial Disclosures Attributed to Climate Change. The task group is under the…
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The rate at which a volume of light non-aqueous phase liquid, such as oil, will flow through a unit width of porous material, such as soil, for a unit gradient is termed LNAPL transmissivity. Being able to measure LNAPL transmissivity is an important aspect of environmental assessment work. It is possible to measure LNAPL transmissivity via several methodologies (for example, baildown tests,…
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As interest in energy efficiency and green buildings continues to build, it is easy to imagine that property due diligence by prospective buyers and lessees will begin to include such environmental considerations, which can impact property values and rental rates. This is particularly true in light of legislation such as California’s Assembly Bill 1103, a new law that became effective Jan. 1 and…, ASTM WK24707, , Guide for Building Energy Performance Disclosure, is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee E50.02 on Real Estate Assessment and Management. ASTM WK24707 will be used by professionals conducting due diligence for prospective property purchasers and lessees. “It is anticipated that energy disclosure obligations will be incorporated into the traditional legal obligations of landlords and sellers…
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Six months after the spring 2008 publication of ASTM standard E2600 , Practice for Assessment of Vapor Intrusion into Structures on Property Involved in Real Estate Transactions, the task group that developed it surveyed users to receive feedback on the new standard. According to Anthony Buonicore, CEO of the Buonicore Group and chair of the vapor intrusion task group, the survey results have led…
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Subjects Include Vented Construction Systems, Furnace Exposure and Tunnel Fire Resistance, Subcommittee E05.11 on Fire Resistance, part of ASTM International Committee E05 on Fire Standards, is currently developing a number of proposed standards, including the following three test methods on vented construction systems, furnace exposure on test samples and tunnel fire resistance. All parties interested in working on fire resistance standards are encouraged to join in the activities of…, Vented Construction, Understanding how construction systems will perform in the earliest moments of a fire is crucial. A proposed new ASTM standard, WK22660 , Test Method for Evaluating Fire Performance of Vented Construction, will provide tests for evidence on how vented construction systems are affected by the first five minutes of a fire and will be used to complement existing fire testing methods test results “…, Furnace Exposure, Fire test laboratories and fire protection engineers will be the primary users of proposed new standard ASTM WK23795 , Test Method for Measuring the Uniformity of Furnace Exposure on Test Samples. The proposed standard provides general principles for measuring the uniformity of furnace exposure on samples tested in accordance with the following standards: - ASTM E119 , Test Methods for Fire…, Tunnel Fire Resistance, Fires in tunnels can reach temperatures as high as 2,500°F [1371°C], but current standards that deal with building fires provide for a maximum temperature of 2,000°F [1093°C] and are not specific to tunnels. A proposed new standard, ASTM WK23821 , Test Methods for Tunnel Fire Resistance, will be developed with the special considerations of tunnel fires in mind. According to Barry Badders, manager…
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The measurement of acid mist is becoming increasingly important due to recent actions taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on fine particles (2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller) that are unhealthy to breathe. ASTM International Committee D22 on Air Quality is currently working on a proposed standard for measuring acid mists that come from combustion sources, WK22846 , Test…
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the 2008 revision to an ASTM International standard describing the environmental assessment needs of parties involved in the acquisition of forestland and rural properties is now compliant with the agency’s All Appropriate Inquiries Rule (40 CFR Part 312, Standards and Practices for All Appropriate Inquires). The EPA decision came in a…
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The ASTM standard that describes the environmental assessment needs of parties involved in the acquisition of forestland and rural property has been revised. The revision is an important step toward making ASTM E2247 , Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process for Forestland or Rural Property, compliant with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency…
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A new ASTM International standard provides guidance for using data generated by ASTM standards in testing for asbestos in surface dust. ASTM D 7390 , Guide for Evaluating Asbestos in Dust on Surfaces by Comparison Between Two Environments, was approved by ASTM International Committee D22 on Air Quality, part of Subcommittee D22.07 on Sampling and Analysis of Asbestos. According to James Millette…