Advertise on podcast: Let's Talk Remediation

In this 72nd episode, I discuss "What Is Environmental Remediation and What's It's Purpose?" As I say in every episode, "The Purpose of This Podcast, Is To Have A Positive Impact On The Environmental Remediation Industry."  "But what is it and what does that mean?" Environmental remediation is the process of removing, treating, or containing pollution and hazardous contaminants from environmental media such as soil, groundwater, sediment, and surface water to protect human health and restore ecosystems. The main purpose of environmental remediation is to remove or reduce pollutants and hazardous contaminants from soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediment to protect human health and restore damaged ecosystems. By performing the act of Environmental Remediation, we restore the environmental damage we have caused to the environment in which we live in back to the way it was, clean and healthy and doing so, protects human health from the toxic contaminates and hazardous wastes that we create. They go hand in hand, if Our Environment in which we live is healthy, then Living Things are also healthy and flourish! Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental produces Field Test Kits that can be used in the act of Environmental Remediation to monitor the process. As always, if you have a topic you would like us to discuss in a future podcast or a specific question you'd like us to address, please let us know by sending it into, [email protected]. "Thank You" to Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental for providing this platform to have a positive impact on The Remediation Industry! Make sure to Like, Subscribe and Follow for Our Future Podcast Episodes.

In this 71st episode, I discuss "What's The Difference Between In-Situ and Ex-Situ Remediation?" In-Situ means "in place."  So when contamination is remediated where it is, then In-Situ Remediation is taking place.  This can be performed by the introduction of additives to perform destructive remediation where the contamination sits, rather than further disrupting the already contaminated area.  This method can be considerably useful if there is infrastructure in place or there is functional operations that make it more difficult to excavate. Ex-Situ remediation is when the contamination is being moved from it's current location.  Upon removal, it can be remediated at a new location or as is most often the case, the contamination is excavated or pumped and then it is transported away to be disposed of at a waste disposal facility or an injection well site.  When this takes place, it is relocation of the contamination from it's original location, but it is not being permanently address via remediation and destruction, it is just out of site and out of mind.  "Cradle to Grave" means that The Generator of the waste that is disposed of, it documented on the waste manifest and still responsible for the final disposition of it.  Most often, due to the mass amount of moving equipment, logistical transportation and disposal fees, this is the most expensive approach and still carries the future liability because complete remediation or destruction of the contamination didn't take place. Sometimes, the best option is to perform a combination of the two.  Moving the contamination to be more easily remediated and performing the remediation or permanent destruction of the contamination to eliminate the future liability. Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental produces Field Test Kits that can be used in either case, in the case of Ex-Situ to know that you got it all or in the case of In-Situ to monitor to know the effectiveness of the remediation treatment(s). As always, if you have a topic you would like us to discuss in a future podcast or a specific question you'd like us to address, please let us know by sending it into, [email protected]. "Thank You" to Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental for providing this platform to have a positive impact on The Remediation Industry! Make sure to Like, Subscribe and Follow for Our Future Podcast Episodes.

In this 70th episode, I discuss "What Is The Proper Way To Perform Solid Surface Remediation?" In order to properly perform solid surface remediation, a systematic plan needs to be created and put into action. The systematic plan should include, An Initial Site Assessment, Research of Environmental Compliance, A Feasibility Evaluation, A Remediation Design, Implementation of The Design Plan and Finally, Confirmatory Sampling and Closure. The approach is the same as when remediating soil and water, however, the difference is the speed at which things take place.  When something needs to be remediated from a solid surface, the actions need to take place much faster and for this reason, most of the time, the actions happen at the same time. In short, the first step is to contain the contaminate to prevent further spreading of the contaminate.  Once contained, the bulk of it needs to be addressed by getting it up through use of an absorbent, vacuum or other means to address the bulk of it.  Once this has been completed, it's time to address the residue contamination that is still present.  This can be done by the use of some cleaning agent of a detergent, surfactant, neutralizing agent and/or a chemical oxidizing agent.  After this has been done, it's time to rinse and dry the solid surface to make sure that it is completely cleaned and remediated.  This can be documented by the use of clean soil as an absorbent to test which can be performed by your Hanby Soil Field Test Kit and by sending off for Third Party Lab validation.  All these steps are important validation that the solid surface has been fully remediate in order to avoid any hazard liability. Documentation of everything is key.  The more the better!  Overkill erroring on the side of caution, by providing the most details possible, is the best approach saving time for everyone involved! As always, if you have a topic you would like us to discuss in a future podcast or a specific question you'd like us to address, please let us know by sending it into, [email protected]. "Thank You" to Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental for providing this platform to have a positive impact on The Remediation Industry! Make sure to Like, Subscribe and Follow for Our Future Podcast Episodes.

In this 69th episode, I discuss "What Is The Proper Way To Perform Water Remediation?" In order to properly perform water remediation, a systematic plan needs to be created and put into action. The systematic plan should include, An Initial Site Assessment, Research of Environmental Compliance, A Feasibility Evaluation, A Remediation Design, Implementation of The Design Plan and Finally, Confirmatory Sampling and Closure. During an initial site assessment, which contaminates are present and at what concentration levels is determined.  Based on this information, we research to find out what concentration levels need to be to comply with environmental regulations and laws.  Then our remediation options need to be considered to determine the practical approach to get to those levels.  Then we select a remediation option or combination of options.  Then we implement those selections by performing them and monitoring the process with field measurements to determine our success at reaching the target levels.  Once our field measurements have indicated that the targets have been met, we take confirmatory samples and send them off for third party laboratory validation.  Upon receipt of successful results, a closure report is created documenting the entire project and is submitted to the required regulatory bodies, insurance companies, client, etc. Documentation of everything is key.  The more the better!  Overkill erroring on the side of caution, by providing the most details possible, is the best approach saving time for everyone involved! As always, if you have a topic you would like us to discuss in a future podcast or a specific question you'd like us to address, please let us know by sending it into, [email protected]. "Thank You" to Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental for providing this platform to have a positive impact on The Remediation Industry! Make sure to Like, Subscribe and Follow for Our Future Podcast Episodes.

In this 68th episode, I discuss "What Is The Proper Way To Perform Soil Remediation?" In order to properly perform soil remediation, a systematic plan needs to be created and put into action. The systematic plan should include, An Initial Site Assessment, Research of Environmental Compliance, A Feasibility Evaluation, A Remediation Design, Implementation of The Design Plan and Finally, Confirmatory Sampling and Closure. During an initial site assessment, which contaminates are present and at what concentration levels is determined.  Based on this information, we research to find out what concentration levels need to be to comply with environmental regulations and laws.  Then our remediation options need to be considered to determine the practical approach to get to those levels.  Then we select a remediation option or combination of options.  Then we implement those selections by performing them and monitoring the process with field measurements to determine our success at reaching the target levels.  Once our field measurements have indicated that the targets have been met, we take confirmatory samples and send them off for third party laboratory validation.  Upon receipt of successful results, a closure report is created documenting the entire project and is submitted to the required regulatory bodies, insurance companies, client, etc. Documentation of everything is key.  The more the better!  Overkill erroring on the side of caution, by providing the most details possible, is the best approach saving time for everyone involved! As always, if you have a topic you would like us to discuss in a future podcast or a specific question you'd like us to address, please let us know by sending it into, [email protected]. "Thank You" to Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental for providing this platform to have a positive impact on The Remediation Industry! Make sure to Like, Subscribe and Follow for Our Future Podcast Episodes.

In this "67th" ("6-7") episode, I discuss "Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)?" Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are carbon-based chemicals that vaporize into the air at room temperature, posing major concerns for indoor air quality, groundwater safety, and ground-level smog formation. VOCs are the lighter parts of crude oils, refined fuels, paints and thinners, vanishes, air fresheners, glues and solvents. These lighter portions are "volatile" because they quickly and easily convert from liquids to gases.  Once in the gas phase, they are very mobile and more easily inhaled from being in our breathing zone.  This is much more likely, in doors, where the air is not well ventilated.   Common sources of VOCs are from the use of fuels, chemical solvents, cleaning supplies, varnishes and paints, glues, new carpet, air fresheners, cosmetics, nail polishes and removers and smoking and vaping. VOCs are known to be carcinogenic, thus concern for human health and our environment. While VOCs mainly travel in our air in gas form, they can also travel in water and be found trapped in soil. As always, if you have a topic you would like us to discuss in a future podcast or a specific question you'd like us to address, please let us know by sending it into, [email protected]. "Thank You" to Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental for providing this platform to have a positive impact on The Remediation Industry! Make sure to Like, Subscribe and Follow for Our Future Podcast Episodes.

In this 66th episode, I discuss "What Is Meant by BTEX?" BTEX stands for Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes, which are a group of volatile organic compounds commonly found in petroleum products like crude oils and refined fuels like gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. BTEX aromatics are toxic chemicals that are known to be carcinogenic and thus are a cause of concern to human health and our environment. BTEX are in a category called VOCs which means Volatile Organic Compounds.  These are volatile because they are light and thus they evaporate into our air and they also dissolve easily in water and for these reasons they spread easily into and through soil as well. For these reasons BTEX are contaminates of concern and must be monitored during spill/remediation activities. As always, if you have a topic you would like us to discuss in a future podcast or a specific question you'd like us to address, please let us know by sending it into, [email protected]. "Thank You" to Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental for providing this platform to have a positive impact on The Remediation Industry! Make sure to Like, Subscribe and Follow for Our Future Podcast Episodes.

In this 65th episode, I discuss "What Are Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons aka PAHs?" PAHs stands for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.  Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons are 1,000s of chemical compounds that are created during the incomplete combustion or burning of physical materials.  The Ashes generated during the combustion process are full of PAHs. PAHs have many Benzene rings in them, thus their toxic nature is obvious.  Most PAHs have been found to be carcinogens.  For this reason, we must be conscious of their sources and limit our exposure to them. The most common sources of PAHs contamination is from Forest Fires, Volcano Eruptions, Vehicle, Power and Industrial Plant Exhaust.  Other contamination sources are the production, transport and refining of petroleum, the use of refined fuels that generate exhaust, the burning of Agricultural Fields, runoff from Asphalt Roads, Spills of Petroleum Products and Burning of Coal and Tar products.  Even the burning of fire places and burning and smoking of meat for consumption, can generate PAHs. Once generated into ashes from incomplete combustion, they become easily spread in our environmental by Wind/Air, Water and through Aquatic Life.  Since they do not easily breakdown, they can quickly and easily spread over huge distances.  Due to their toxic and carcinogenic nature, they are a major environmental contaminate of concern. As always, if you have a topic you would like us to discuss in a future podcast or a specific question you'd like us to address, please let us know by sending it into, [email protected]. "Thank You" to Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental for providing this platform to have a positive impact on The Remediation Industry! Make sure to Like, Subscribe and Follow for Our Future Podcast Episodes.

In this 64th episode, I discuss "What Are PolyChlorinated Biphenyls aka PCBs?" PCBs stands for PolyChlorinated Biphenyls.  PolyChlorinated Biphenyls are man-made organic chemicals used widely as electrical insulators and coolants until banned in the U.S. in 1979 due to high toxicity and environmental persistence. PCBs were found to be probable carcinogens and due tot he fact that they do not easily breakdown in our environment, they can easily spread over long distances and transport through our environment and ecosystem. The most common source of PCBs contamination is from old leaking transformers on power poles, that had transformer oil in them that contained PCBs.  Other contamination sources are old building materials, sealants, coolants, caulking materials and hydraulic oils/fluids. Due to the high toxicity, PCBs have a low threshold of interest of 50 ppm or more requiring specialized hazardous materials handling.  Additionally, due to their high toxicity, the clean up level of interest should be to zero or non-detect (ND). As always, if you have a topic you would like us to discuss in a future podcast or a specific question you'd like us to address, please let us know by sending it into, [email protected]. "Thank You" to Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental for providing this platform to have a positive impact on The Remediation Industry! Make sure to Like, Subscribe and Follow for Our Future Podcast Episodes.

In this Episode 63, I discuss "What Is Meant by Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons aka TPH?" TPH stands for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons.  TOTAL means ANY and ALL captured and provided in a single measurement. Petroleum is derived from Crude Oil extracted from the ground.  Once extracted, it is moved to a refinery for the distillation process of adding heat to it, to separate it into different fractions based upon weight.  The weight is due to the number of Carbons present.  This separation is what gives us our different fractions or "Refined Fuels."  Refined Fuels such as the lighter being Gasoline, then a little heavier like Diesel Fuel due to it containing more carbons.  Then the heavier fractions being the Oils having the most carbons.  GRO stands for Gasoline Range Organics.  This typically covers the carbon number ranges of C6-12. DRO stands for Diesel Range Organics.  This typically covers the carbon number ranges of C10-28.  GRO and DRO are typically the primary focus as they are the more commonly used and thus spilled or released during use, transport or storage.   However there is also ORO which stands for Oil Range Organics which covers the carbon number range from C20-35.  Since Refined Fuel are derived from Oil, when Oil is present, it i typically in larger quantities and thus higher concentrations. TPH (TOTAL Petroleum Hydrocarbons) encompasses all three of these ranges from C6-35. Having a measurement that covers all of these ranges is the best approach for monitoring remediation work.  Post Remediation, The. Laboratory can provide you with both the TPH measurement and break it down further into the different ranges if you would like, but the TPH measurement covers all of them. As always, if you have a topic you would like us to discuss in a future podcast or a specific question you'd like us to address, please let us know by sending it into, [email protected]. "Thank You" to Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental for providing this platform to have a positive impact on The Remediation Industry! Make sure to Like, Subscribe and Follow for Our Future Podcast Episodes.

In this 62nd episode, I discuss the topic of What Is The Value Proposition Provided By The Use of Hanby Environmental Field Test Kits? Hanby Environmental's Field Test Kits provide FAST, ACCURATE and ECONOMICAL results that you CAN rely on. Reliable field results is the key.  Not just Field Data, but Reliable Field Data from which to make a decision.  Our Hanby Field Test Kits have been doing this The World over for the last 40 years. Even in States that require a Licensed Geologist to perform sampling, our Field Test Kits still provide the knowledge to know when its time to have that take place. Using Hanby Environmental Field Test Kits to monitor the remediation work, to Knowledgeably Know it's to to send samples off to A Certified Laboratory or to get a Licensed Geologist to do the same saves huge amounts of time and money. Unreliable or bad field data which is often obtained by other field measurements such as "Sniffers," are a waste of time and money and more often than not, will provide in consistent data, which is better off not even being performed.  "Thank You" for tuning in and to Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental for the continued support of our podcast having a positive impact on The Environmental Remediation Industry! Send in any future podcast topics or questions to [email protected] and follow us on FaceBook, Linkedin and X. If you are not following this podcast and are in the Remediation Space, "You SHOULD Be!" Also, if you are in The Remediation Industry and are interested in telling your story, we are looking for Experts to interview for future podcast episodes.

In this 61st episode, I discuss RESULTS FROM - Large Scale Demonstration of "The New Remediation Paradigm" in Odessa, Texas on 7/15/2026. Lighthouse Environmental hosted Hanby Environmental and OMG Solutions to perform a large scale remediation demonstration.  The remediation area was contaminated by a combination of Crude Oil and Production Water (aka Produced Water, Brine Water, Salt Water). Hanby's field Test Kits provided the real time monitoring of the real time and in-situ (in place) remediation by OMG's ELMN8.  ELMN8 is a non-hazardous and non-toxic ready to use solution that remediates upon contact. During the demonstration, we had a scaled down version of a large scale soil remediation project, contaminated by both Hydrocarbons and Chlorides.  This was performed on the floor of a trailer, to show that the contaminates were actually remediated and not pushed down below the surface.   OMG’s product ELMN8 was used to remediate both contaminates at the same time, upon contact.  Hanby’s Field Test Kits for Hydrocarbons and Chlorides were both used to validate the remediation took place. The results showed: Hydrocarbon Demo Summary: Hydrocarbon Results: Pretreatment 1 - 19,674 ppm Post Treatment - 1 - 1,100 ppm Pretreatment 2 - 16,087 ppm Post Treatment - 2 - 875 ppm Pretreatment 3 - 18,696 ppm Post Treatment - 3 - 1,100 ppm Chlorides Demo Summary: Chlorides Results: Pretreatment 1 - 7.5k ppm (2 mls) Post Treatment - 1 - 1.8k ppm (0.5 mls) Pretreatment 2 - 32.5k ppm (9 mls) Post Treatment - 2 - 1.8k ppm (0.5 mls) Pretreatment 3 - 7.5k ppm (2 mls) Post Treatment - 3 - 1.8k ppm (0.5 mls) For Hydrocarbons, the threshold of interest is 1% or 10k ppm.  The (3) samples had PreTreatment Hydrocarbon contamination levels range from 16-20k ppm and Post Treatment results of 900-1.1k ppm. For Chlorides, the threshold of interest is 3k ppm.  The (3) samples had PreTreatment Chlorides contamination levels range from 7.5-32.5k ppm and Post Treatment results of 1.8k ppm. In both cases, All PreTreatment samples were significantly above the thresholds requiring remediation and Post Treatment, they were All significantly below the thresholds required for remediation. Here are links to FaceBook and Linkedin Posts of The Results with pictures from the event: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BZGmdD8Qc/ https://www.linkedin.com/posts/charles-fator-031281_yesterday-hanby-environmental-charles-ugcPost-7483712236599816192-mlnU/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAAKJuUBGxFSock5kILANl-OQ5IbsFxkyE0 Connect and Follow Us on both Facebook and Linkedin. Join "The New Remediation Paradigm" and "The Paradigm Shift!" "Thank You" Lighthouse Environmental for hosting our demonstration, Talon LPE for your interest and The Maloney's for making the long distance travel to see the remediation demonstration in person. "Thank You" for tuning in and to Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental for the continued support of our podcast having a positive impact on The Environmental Remediation Industry! Send in any future podcast topics or questions to [email protected] and follow us on FaceBook, Linkedin and X. If you are not following this podcast and are in the Remediation Space, "You SHOULD Be!" Also, if you are in The Remediation Industry and are interested in telling your story, we are looking for Experts to interview for future podcast episodes.

In this 60th episode, I discuss the topic of What Does "Cradle to Grave" Mean? "Cradle to Grave" means that Hazardous Waste Generators have full responsibility for the Hazardous Waste that they Generated (or Created "Cradle") through its's entire lifecycle until it is put in it's "Grave" by Remediating (breaking it down from Hazardous to make it Non-Hazardous).  This includes the Transportation and Storage of The Hazardous Waste. This is all too often thought of that once it's moved and accepted by a Licensed Waste Disposal Facility, that the responsibility and liability goes away.  But it DOES NOT!  A Licensed Waste Disposal Facility is only storing the Waste on your behalf.  That's why there is very detailed documentation about The Waste on the manifest of it, as an insurance policy for The Waste Disposal Facility, in the event that there is a release from it.  It is stored there.  The only real way for The Hazardous Waste Generator to be rid of the liability of it, is for it to be REMEDIATED! As noted in last week's episode: Relocating the contamination is a quick and easy fix to be moved out of sight and out of mind.  It is NOT Remediation.  It's removal from the current location to another.  In this case, it is stored at a waste disposal facility still in it's hazardous form, in theory to be dealt with at some future time. We CAN NOT keep doing this forever!   We have natural resources that we require to live.  It is in Everyone's best interest, to change our thought processes, from the quick easy fix of digging/vacuuming and hauling to a disposal facility as being the method of last resort, instead of being the default first choice.  It is vital to our survival as a species. We must have the first thought to actually remediate the contamination and use waste disposal facilities as a method of last resort. "Thank You" for tuning in and to Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental for the continued support of our podcast having a positive impact on The Environmental Remediation Industry! Send in any future podcast topics or questions to [email protected] and follow us on FaceBook, Linkedin and X. If you are not following this podcast and are in the Remediation Space, "You SHOULD Be!" Also, if you are in The Remediation Industry and are interested in telling your story, we are looking for Experts to interview for future podcast episodes.

In this 59th episode, I discuss the topic Relocation aka "Dig/Vacuum and Haul" is NOT Remediation. The old traditional default thought to dealing with contaminated soil is to dig and haul it off to a waste disposal facility.  Similarly, vacuuming up contaminated water and transporting it to a disposal facility.  In both of these case, the contamination is only being relocated.  It is NOT being remediated. In order to remediate the contamination, it has to be treated in order for it to be broken down and the contaminate(s) has to be acted upon by a means of changing its form from being hazardous to non-hazardous. Relocating the contamination is a quick and easy fix to be moved out of sight and out of mind.  It is NOT Remediation.  It's removal from the current location to another.  In this case, it is stored at a waste disposal facility still in it's hazardous form, in theory to be dealt with at some future time. We CAN NOT keep doing this forever!   We have natural resources that we require to live.  It is in Everyone's best interest, to change our thought processes, from the quick easy fix of digging/vacuuming and hauling to a disposal facility as being the method of last resort, instead of being the default first choice.  It is vital to our survival as a species. We must have the first thought to actually remediate the contamination and use waste disposal facilities as a method of last resort. "Thank You" for tuning in and to Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental for the continued support of our podcast having a positive impact on The Environmental Remediation Industry! Send in any future podcast topics or questions to [email protected] and follow us on FaceBook, Linkedin and X. If you are not following this podcast and are in the Remediation Space, "You SHOULD Be!" Also, if you are in The Remediation Industry and are interested in telling your story, we are looking for Experts to interview for future podcast episodes.

In this 58th episode, I discuss A Future Event - Large Scale Demonstration of "The New Remediation Paradigm" in Odessa, Texas. Here's an opportunity that you don't want to miss.  It's the opportunity to see a large scale remediation in real time, implementing "The New Remediation Paradigm." When:  The event is taking place on July 15, 2026 at 10 am. Where:  Lighthouse Environmental at 17901 Interstate 20 Service Rd, Odessa, Texas. Lighthouse Environmental is hosting Hanby Environmental and OMG Solutions to perform a large scale remediation demonstration.  The remediation area will be contaminated by a combination of Crude Oil, Diesel Fuel and Production Water (aka Produced Water, Brine Water, Salt Water). Hanby's field Test Kits will provide the real time monitoring of the real and in-situ (in place) remediation by OMG's ELMN8.  ELMN8 is a non-hazardous and non-toxic ready to use solution that remediates upon contact. The demonstration will allow the Attendees to get a first hand understanding for the entire remediation process of delineating the contamination area, testing, treating and retesting.  After the demonstration, samples will be jarred and sent for third-party validation by the lab and Attendees will be given the option to also take jarred samples to send off to their own labs. Come see "The New Remediation Paradigm" and join "The Paradigm Shift!" "Thank You" for tuning in and to Our Ongoing Sponsor Hanby Environmental for the continued support of our podcast having a positive impact on The Environmental Remediation Industry! Send in any future podcast topics or questions to [email protected] and follow us on FaceBook, Linkedin and X. If you are not following this podcast and are in the Remediation Space, "You SHOULD Be!" Also, if you are in The Remediation Industry and are interested in telling your story, we are looking for Experts to interview for future podcast episodes. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/charles-fator-031281_if-you-are-in-the-midlandodessa-area-and-share-7473450525162622976-Erv0/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAAKJuUBGxFSock5kILANl-OQ5IbsFxkyE0 https://www.facebook.com/share/p/192mcwnk27/