According to Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), brownfields are parcels of real estate that are abandoned or inactive or may not be operated at its appropriate use. The expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of the property may be complicated because the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, a contaminant, petroleum, or a petroleum product poses a risk to human health and the environment (per Indiana Code 13-11-2-19.3). Sometimes, redeveloping a brownfield can pose risks to future residents. Our soil is porous and fumes can penetrate into buildings even after site remediation has taken place. We have seen this happen in Elkhart County when a Senior Living Center built on the Conn Selmer brownfield ran into problems after a remediation process appeared to be unsuccessful. If you have any additional information or concerns about how residents are being impacted at redevelopment locations, please contact us.