Glossary
Brownfield
A property whose redevelopment is complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Central to environmental remediation work.
A brownfield is real property where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse is complicated by the presence — or potential presence — of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. The term comes from federal law and EPA’s Brownfields Program.
Former industrial and commercial sites, old gas stations, dry cleaners, and similar properties are typical brownfields. Redeveloping one usually starts with environmental due diligence — a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, and a Phase II investigation if that turns up a concern — followed by any cleanup the findings require.
For abatement and demolition contractors, brownfield projects often bundle asbestos and lead abatement, contaminated-soil handling, and demolition into a single remediation scope.