EDR Introduces the EDR VEC App™ Vapor Intrusion Screening Tool

MILFORD, Conn., March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Environmental Data Resources, the nation's leading provider of environmental risk information and related services, today launched the EDR VEC App, a tool that enables environmental consultants to screen properties for vapor intrusion in accordance with ASTM E2600-10, Standard Guide for Vapor Encroachment Screening on Property Involved in Real Estate Transactions, quickly and cost-effectively.

Vapor intrusion is an environmental condition that occurs when rapidly evaporating chemicals in polluted soil or groundwater vaporize and make their way into indoor air, similar to the way radon enters homes. Not only can vapor intrusion harm human health, causing problems ranging from headaches and respiratory irritation to an increased likelihood of developing cancer, but it can also create risks in financing real estate by driving down property values and creating liability for property owners and their lenders.  

"Recent scientific developments show that vapor intrusion is more widespread than previously reported and that it can affect human health even in low concentrations," said Rob Baber, EDR's CEO. "There is also growing consensus in the property due diligence industry that vapor intrusion screening should be a routine part of a Phase I environmental site assessment. As such, environmental professionals needed a tool that would help them quickly, easily, and accurately screen for vapor intrusion. Developed with input from our clients, the EDR VEC App handily meets those requirements. We're excited to launch this innovative new tool."  

EDR's VEC App allows users to view current and historical environmental records and other relevant information for a given property on an interactive map. Built-in tools, like the Quick Screen, which allows environmental professionals to screen sites with advanced GIS technology, and the Wizard, which guides the user through an analysis of elevation, topography, groundwater depth and direction, and more, provide a quick and accurate assessment of whether a vapor encroachment condition is likely to exist.

"Everything you need to determine whether a vapor encroachment condition exists (or does not) is in EDR's VEC App," says Tameka Gordon, an environmental specialist with Geotechnical and Environmental Consultants Inc. in Macon, GA. "Enter the facts about the listed site into the wizard tool—my favorite—and there you go. No more guess work! It's quick and it's easy to use."

For more information on the VEC App, please click here.  For more information about vapor intrusion, please visit www.edrnet.com/vi.

About EDR: Environmental Data Resources, Inc. (EDR) is the nation's leading provider of environmental risk reports for companies and properties. The company created and maintains the National Environmental Data Information System, or NEDIS™, its proprietary aggregate database of environmental records and historical land use information culled from public records and private sources. Over 20 years in the making and updated continually, NEDIS contains 1,400 databases, some of which are proprietary, and more than 3.1 billion records.

Founded in 1990 and based in Milford, Connecticut, EDR has regional offices located throughout the United States. The company is wholly owned by DMG Information Inc., the business information division of Daily Mail and General Trust, plc (DMGT). For more information about EDR, please visit www.edrnet.com.

Media contact: Amy Hourigan, [email protected], phone: 800.352.0050, cell: 203.901.0148

SOURCE Environmental Data Resources, Inc.