Research Resources
Government databases, mapping tools, and reference sources used for Phase I ESAs, site characterization, and environmental due diligence. All links verified against primary sources.
National
ASTM Compass - Environmental Standards Lookup
ASTM International
ASTM International's standards portal. Access E1527 (Phase I ESA), E1903 (Phase II), E2356 (asbestos survey), and other environmental standards.
- Looking up current versions of ASTM environmental standards including Phase I (E1527-21), Phase II (E1903-19), asbestos survey (E2356), and related practices
EPA Asbestos Laws and Regulations
U.S. EPA
Federal asbestos regulations including NESHAP, AHERA, and TSCA. Links to full regulation text, guidance documents, and compliance information.
- NESHAP requirements
- AHERA school rules
- TSCA asbestos regulations
- federal asbestos guidance
EPA e-Manifest System
U.S. EPA
EPA's electronic hazardous waste manifest system. Required for all SQG and LQG hazardous waste shipments as of January 2025.
- Electronic hazardous waste manifesting
- tracking shipments from generator to TSDF
- manifest lookup and recordkeeping
EPA ECHO (Enforcement and Compliance History Online)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Search facility inspections, violations, enforcement actions, and penalties across EPA programs.
- Phase I desk research
- compliance history review
- enforcement action research
EPA EJScreen - Environmental Justice Screening Tool
U.S. EPA
EPA's environmental justice mapping tool. Combines demographic data with environmental indicators to identify overburdened communities.
- Environmental justice screening for CERCLA/brownfield projects, community impact assessments, identifying sensitive populations near contaminated sites
EPA Envirofacts
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Search EPA environmental databases for facility information, toxic releases, Superfund sites, and compliance history.
- Phase I desk research
- environmental database review
- site history research
- regulatory records review
EPA Lead Information and Resources
U.S. EPA
EPA's main lead page covering lead-based paint, dust-lead standards, soil screening levels, RRP Rule, and lead hazard information.
- Lead-based paint regulations
- dust-lead action levels
- soil lead screening levels
- RRP Rule information
- lead hazard standards
EPA RCRA Online
U.S. EPA
EPA's main RCRA page with links to hazardous waste regulations, guidance, generator requirements, and corrective action resources.
- Federal hazardous waste regulations
- generator category requirements
- RCRA corrective action guidance
- waste determination resources
EPA Certified Renovator and Firm Search
U.S. EPA
Search for EPA-certified lead renovation firms and accredited RRP training providers by state. Required for RRP Rule compliance.
- Finding certified RRP renovators
- certified lead firms
- accredited RRP training courses by location
EPA Regional Screening Levels (RSLs) - Generic Tables
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Current RSL tables and calculator for residential and industrial screening levels across soil, air, and tapwater. Updated semi-annually.
- site screening
- risk assessment
- preliminary remediation goals
EPA SEMS - Superfund Site Search
U.S. EPA
Search EPA's Superfund Enterprise Management System for NPL and non-NPL contaminated sites, cleanup status, and contaminant data.
- Superfund site lookup, NPL status, site contamination profiles, cleanup progress, RODs, five-year reviews, Phase I ESA database searches
EPA SW-846 Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste
U.S. EPA
EPA's compendium of analytical methods for hazardous waste characterization including TCLP (Method 1311), metals, VOCs, and SVOCs.
- Hazardous waste characterization methods
- TCLP testing (Method 1311)
- metals analysis
- VOC and SVOC analysis
- sample preparation
EPA National Recommended Water Quality Criteria - Aquatic Life
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Federal recommended water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic life under the Clean Water Act.
- surface water assessment
- ecological risk assessment
- discharge permit evaluation
- Clean Water Act compliance
EPA National Recommended Water Quality Criteria - Human Health
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Federal recommended water quality criteria for the protection of human health under the Clean Water Act.
- surface water assessment
- human health risk assessment
- discharge permit evaluation
- Clean Water Act compliance
FEMA Flood Map Service Center
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Official FEMA flood zone maps and flood insurance rate maps (FIRMs) for any U.S. address.
- Phase I desk research
- flood zone determination
- property due diligence
NOAA CAFE Database (Chemical Aquatic Fate and Effects)
NOAA Office of Response and Restoration
NOAA's tool for estimating fate and toxicity of chemicals, oils, and dispersants in aquatic environments. Replaces the retired SQuiRT cards.
- aquatic toxicity assessment
- chemical fate modeling
- spill response
- ecological risk screening
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
NIOSH / CDC
Quick reference for chemical exposure limits, physical properties, health hazards, PPE recommendations, and first aid for 677 chemicals.
- Field reference for RELs, OSHA PELs, IDLH values, physical properties, exposure routes, symptoms, PPE selection, first aid procedures
EPA Sole Source Aquifer Map
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Interactive map of EPA-designated sole source aquifer locations across the United States.
- Phase I desk research
- groundwater resource assessment
- sole source aquifer determination
OpenRailwayMap
OpenRailwayMap (open source)
Worldwide interactive map of railway infrastructure including active lines, abandoned corridors, stations, and rail yards.
- Phase I desk research
- historical land use analysis
- railroad corridor assessment
OSHA Asbestos Safety and Health Topics
OSHA
OSHA's main asbestos page with links to standards, guidance, fact sheets, and exposure control methods for construction and general industry.
- Asbestos PEL
- work classifications
- exposure monitoring guidance
- worker protection requirements
RCRAInfo Web - Hazardous Waste Facility Lookup
U.S. EPA
Search EPA's RCRA database for facility hazardous waste status, generator category, handler activities, and compliance history.
- Looking up facility EPA ID numbers
- generator status (VSQG/SQG/LQG)
- RCRA permit status
- handler activities
- compliance history
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Abbreviations Key
MIT (compiled reference)
Reference guide for abbreviations and symbols used in Sanborn fire insurance maps - essential for historical land use interpretation.
- Phase I historical research
- Sanborn map interpretation
- historical land use analysis
USGS TopoView - Historical Topographic Maps
U.S. Geological Survey
Free access to current and historical USGS topographic maps for any location in the United States.
- Phase I historical research
- topographic map review
- historical land use analysis
Ohio
EPA Environmental Data Maps for Ohio
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Federal EPA map portal for Ohio-specific environmental data including Superfund sites, TRI facilities, and water quality.
- Phase I desk research
- environmental database review
- Superfund site research
Ohio Department of Health - Lead Licensure and Accreditation Program
Ohio Department of Health
ODH lead professional licensing portal. Applications, forms, licensed professional database, and training course approvals.
- Lead inspector, risk assessor, abatement contractor, and clearance technician licensing in Ohio
- Training course lookup
Ohio Geology Interactive Map (OGIM)
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological Survey
Surficial geology, bedrock geology, drift thickness, groundwater vulnerability, and well log data for Ohio.
- Phase I desk research
- hydrogeologic characterization
- well log review
- groundwater vulnerability assessment
ODNR GIS Open Data Portal
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Downloadable GIS datasets from Ohio Department of Natural Resources including geology, water resources, and land use.
- GIS analysis
- hydrogeologic characterization
- mapping
ODNR Groundwater Maps and Publications
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological Survey
Ohio groundwater resource maps, aquifer studies, well log data, and hydrogeologic publications from the Division of Geological Survey.
- hydrogeologic characterization
- groundwater resource assessment
- well log review
- aquifer studies
ODNR Mines of Ohio Interactive Map
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Interactive map of historical and active mining operations in Ohio including coal mines, clay mines, and limestone quarries.
- Phase I desk research
- historical land use analysis
- mining history
ODNR Oil & Gas Well Locator
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil & Gas Resources Management
Interactive map of all oil and gas wells in Ohio including active, inactive, and plugged wells.
- Phase I desk research
- oil and gas well history
- historical land use analysis
Ohio BUSTR UST Facility Search
Ohio State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations
Search Ohio's registered underground storage tank database by owner, address, or facility.
- Phase I desk research
- UST history research
- BUSTR records review
Ohio County Auditor Directory (CAAO)
County Auditors' Association of Ohio
Complete directory of all 88 Ohio county auditor offices with links to property search portals for each county.
- Phase I desk research
- property ownership research
- tax records
- parcel information
Ohio EPA VAP Certified Professional (CP) Directory
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Environmental Response and Revitalization
Official list of Ohio EPA-certified professionals authorized to conduct voluntary cleanups and issue No Further Action letters under the VAP.
- finding a certified professional
- VAP project planning
- NFA letter preparation
Ohio EPA eDocs - Document Management System
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Search Ohio EPA's public document repository for permits, reports, correspondence, and enforcement actions.
- Phase I desk research
- regulatory records review
- permit history
- enforcement action research
Ohio EPA Fish Advisory Interactive Map
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Interactive map of fish consumption advisories for Ohio waterways, showing which species have advisories and for which contaminants.
- ecological risk assessment
- surface water assessment
- fish consumption advisory review
Ohio EPA Open Data Portal
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
GIS datasets from Ohio EPA including facility locations, permits, monitoring data, and environmental program boundaries.
- GIS analysis
- facility research
- permit review
- environmental data
Ohio EPA Sediment Reference Values (SRVs)
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Environmental Response and Revitalization
Ohio-specific sediment screening values based on reference site sampling, used under OAC 3745-300-08 for ecological risk assessment at VAP sites.
- sediment assessment
- ecological risk assessment
- VAP sediment screening
Ohio EPA Drinking Water Source Protection Areas
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Drinking and Ground Waters
Maps and information on drinking water source protection areas in Ohio, including wellhead protection and surface water intake zones.
- Phase I desk research
- source water protection review
- wellhead protection area determination
Ohio EPA Urban Setting Designation (USD) Areas Map
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
GIS map of approved Urban Setting Designation areas in Ohio. USDs allow VAP sites to use less restrictive groundwater standards.
- VAP site assessment
- groundwater standard selection
- USD eligibility screening
Ohio Rail Lines and Development Projects Map
Ohio Rail Development Commission
Interactive map of Ohio railroad lines, operators, and rail development projects.
- Phase I desk research
- railroad corridor assessment
- transportation infrastructure review
Ohio Water Quality Standards (OAC 3745-1)
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Complete Ohio water quality standards for surface waters under the Clean Water Act, including designated uses and numeric criteria.
- surface water assessment
- NPDES permit evaluation
- Clean Water Act compliance
- discharge limit review