Hydrocarbons are a compound of hydrogen and carbon, such as any of those which are the major components of petroleum and natural gas. An unprecedented wave of lawsuits, filed by cities and states across the US, aims to hold the oil and gas industry accountable for the environmental devastation caused by hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons can be found in soil, soil gas, & groundwater, and can migrate through the subsurface to neighboring properties. Hydrocarbon-related litigation and remediation is common in the United States.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) will be the target of EPA rules in 2022, including a proposed rule in spring of 2022, designating them as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as the Superfund. PFAS are found in a wide variety of industries, including cosmetics, military, airports, metal plating, refineries, fire-fighting materials, cookware, dry cleaning, carpet cleaning, and manufacturing. Extensive litigation is on the horizon related to these toxic emergent contaminants.

Heavy metal contamination is often associated with industries like metal plating, but can be found in a variety of other industries. Mining, manufacturing, and the use of synthetic products (e.g. pesticides, paints, batteries, industrial waste, and land application of industrial or domestic sludge) can result in heavy metal contamination of soils. Heavy metal contamination is often associated with litigation due to high toxicity to human health.

The two chlorinated compounds most typically of concern are tetrachloroethylene (PCE), a chemical long used in dry cleaning (among other uses), and trichloroethylene (TCE), commonly used in parts washing and degreasing activities. Both of these chemicals can migrate in groundwater, sink through the water to or into the bedrock where they are difficult to remediate, contribute in certain conditions to indoor air contamination (known as “vapor intrusion”), and are subject to very stringent cleanup standards.

California has the most asbestos-related deaths in the country and some of the largest deposits of asbestos in the world. Numerous work sites and geological areas have posed serious risks for employees and residents. From 1999 to 2013 alone, asbestos exposure caused thousands of cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases in the state.

Herbicides are generally man-made compounds used to kill unwanted plants while pesticides are a more general term that includes herbicides. Pesticides are used to kill fungus, bacteria, insects, plant diseases, snails, slugs, and rodents. They are designed to persist in the environment so that they remain accessible to plants and pests. Common pesticides banned by the EPA for environmental issues include atrazine, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin heptachlor, lindane, methyl bromide, mirex, parathion, and toxaphene.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are widespread throughout our country. manufacturers used these substances in hundreds of commercial products, such as lighting ballasts, caulk and paints. As a result, they are found in schools, offices and other buildings.

If PCBs are found during the course of renovation, they must be removed and disposed of in a landfill authorized to accept PCB-containing waste, and the cost of that remediation and disposal is high. High levels of PCBs can also cause health impacts among occupants of the buildings.

Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are a subgroup of VOCs that generally have a higher molecular weight and higher boiling point. As a result, SVOCs are more persistent and long-lasting in the environment. The most common SVOCs are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are naturally occurring and can be found in crude petroleum including coke petroleum, coal and in residues remaining from the burning of coke in the manufacture of gas previously used for lighting purposes in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Other SVOCs includes aldehydes, ethers, esters, phenols, organic acids, ketones, amines, amides, nitroaromatics, phthalate esters, nitrosamines, haloethers and trihalomethanes that can be found in pesticides, ingredients in cleaning agents and personal care products, additives to vinyl flooring, furniture, clothing, cookware, food packaging, and electronics.

Leaking gasoline stations, tank farms, and pipelines are a significant source of groundwater and drinking water contamination. These facilities have a history of spills and leaks, which can contaminate soil and groundwater. Once in the groundwater, the gasoline and its chemical constituents, including, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and total xylenes (BTEX) can travel and can ultimately impact the water that individuals and communities use for drinking. Contamination of drinking water by gasoline and its chemical constituents is common.