PFAS are no longer an abstract “emerging contaminant” issue. They are now part of real estate due diligence, industrial compliance, water-supply planning, environmental investigations, and long-term liability evaluation. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, are a large group of synthetic chemicals that have been used for decades in industrial processes, firefighting foams, coatings, textiles, packaging, nonstick products, and other applications.

Houston-area real estate often comes with environmental complexity. Former industrial corridors, automotive properties, dry cleaners, oilfield-related operations, rail-served sites, older commercial buildings, fill material, and rapidly redeveloping neighborhoods can all create environmental questions that affect a transaction. An Environmental Site Assessment, or ESA, is one of the primary tools used to evaluate those questions before a property is purchased, refinanced, red

Before construction begins, the ground has already created part of the project’s risk profile. Soil conditions, groundwater, undocumented fill, slope stability, shallow rock, expansive clay, corrosion potential, and seismic or liquefaction hazards can all affect foundation performance, construction cost, schedule, and long-term site durability. A geotechnical report is intended to evaluate many of these issues, but the report itself does not always translate the findings into