Humber/Ontario Real Estate Course 3 Exam Practice

If an environmental site assessment uncovers contamination during Phase 1, what is the primary concern?

1. Verify if contamination has occurred.

2. Locate the contaminated areas.

3. Determine the scope of contamination.

4. Check if the contamination is severe.

The correct answer is: Verify if contamination has occurred.

The primary concern following the discovery of contamination during Phase 1 of an environmental site assessment is to verify if contamination has occurred. This phase is crucial as it involves identifying potential environmental risks and determining whether there are existing environmental liabilities. If contamination is confirmed, it will trigger further action, such as a more detailed Phase 2 assessment to locate the contaminated areas and determine the nature and extent of the contamination. In the context of environmental assessments, verifying the existence of contamination is foundational because it allows stakeholders to understand the severity and implications of the findings. This verification process informs all subsequent steps, including mitigation plans and remediation strategies, ensuring regulatory compliance and protection of public health and the environment.