Brownfields - Making Contaminated Properties Safe, page 2

Tiered Approach to Corrective Action Objectives

The illustration to the left shows the major routes by which humans can be exposed to contamination. People can breathe in air containing chemical vapors or contaminated dust; eat contaminated dust or dirt (a common behavior in small children); or drink, cook, or bathe in contaminated groundwater. TACO requires site owners to prevent contamination from reaching human receptors.

What about neighboring properties?

Sometimes contamination on a site has spread to adjacent property. This is called off-site contamination. When site owners investigate or remediate off-site contamination, they must do so with the full knowledge and consent of the off-site property owner. A site owner cannot use an institutional control or engineered barrier on off-site property if that property’s owner does not want those methods used. Without the neighbor’s consent, the Illinois EPA will not issue an NFR letter specifying off-site institutional controls. Site owners must either re-negotiate with the neighbor to gain consent or clean up the off-site contamination to residential remediation objectives.

Site owners who cause or are responsible for contamination on neighboring properties are subject to enforcement by the Illinois EPA and to third party lawsuits by people or businesses affected by the contamination.

Where can I learn more about TACO?

The Illinois EPA cleanup programs listed below use TACO and have staff available to answer any questions.

The Voluntary Site Remediation Program (217) 524-3300

The Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program (217) 524-3300

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Bureau of Land
1021 North Grand Avenue East
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276

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