ExampleTwo2

To evaluate the age of the release and assess the potential liability of previous owners, a series of boreholes were advanced and about 20 soil samples were collected for analysis of alkyl leads and TOL. MTEL and/or TEL were detected in the samples. Based on the quantity of gasoline present in the samples, the lead content of the original gasoline was estimated.
The presence of MTEL, which is a component of the lead mixes, indicates that the gasoline was produced before 1983. The TOL concentrations were in the range of gasoline produced during the 1970s. Furthermore, the TOL concentrations increased moving further away from the UST system. Based on these chemical data, the local geological and hydrogeological conditions, we opined that the release began in the 1970s. Considering the distance that the gasoline had travelled and the hydrological conditions, it was suggested that the release had began as early as 1973. Because the contamination continued beyond the extent of our sampling locations, it is certainly possible that the release began before 1973; however, we did not have any means to quantify this time frame. Assuming an ownership time frame during the release of 1973 until 1983, we allocated 42% of the responsibility to the oil company. We further opined that our client was responsible for 58% of the clients (his ownership time frame plus the time frame of the independent operator who was no longer solvent or alive).