Disclaimer

1. Purpose of Service

Vrnl provides environmental screening reports that aggregate publicly available data from federal government sources. Our reports are designed to provide general informational awareness about environmental conditions near specified locations. Our goal is to empower users with accessible information to support informed decision-making.

2. Data Sources and Limitations

Our reports compile data from various federal government databases, including:

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Superfund sites, TRI facilities, water quality data
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - Disaster declarations and flood zones
• AirNow - Air quality index and monitoring data
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Climate and weather data
• Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) - Active mine locations
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) - Geological and mineral data
• Other federal and state public databases

Important limitations of our data:

• We do not independently verify or validate source data. We present data as reported by government agencies.
• Government databases may be incomplete, contain errors, or be outdated.
• Data coverage varies significantly by geographic region and data type.
• Environmental conditions change over time and may not be immediately reflected in our reports.
• Some data (e.g., light pollution, noise levels) is estimated using proxy indicators rather than direct measurements.
• Distance calculations are approximate ("as the crow flies") and do not account for geographic barriers like bodies of water or terrain.

3. FEMA Flood Zone Data

Our reports include flood zone designations from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL). Important limitations specific to flood zone data:

• Point Query Only: Flood zone data is retrieved by querying a single coordinate point. Flood zones follow topographic and hydrologic features, NOT property lines. A single property may span multiple flood zones.
• Not an Official Flood Determination: This is NOT an official flood determination for mortgage or insurance purposes. Lenders require certified flood determinations from authorized vendors.
• Map Age and Scale Variability: FEMA flood maps vary significantly by community. Map scales typically range from 1:6,000 to 1:24,000, and some communities have maps that are decades old while others have recent updates.
• LOMA/LOMR Exceptions: Individual properties may have Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) that change their flood zone designation. These property-specific amendments are not reflected in our reports.
• Not Survey-Grade: FEMA flood maps are planning documents intended for insurance rating and floodplain management, not survey-grade property assessments.
• Verify Officially: For any transaction requiring official flood zone status (mortgages, insurance, property purchases), obtain an official flood determination from FEMA's Flood Map Service Center or a certified vendor.

4. Not Professional Advice

Vrnl reports are NOT and should not be considered:

• Phase I or Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) - Our reports do not meet ASTM E1527-21 or E1903 standards and cannot be used for due diligence purposes under CERCLA.
• Professional environmental consulting - We are not licensed environmental consultants, engineers, or scientists.
• Legal advice - Our reports do not address environmental liability, compliance, or regulatory requirements.
• Medical or health advice - We cannot assess individual health risks or provide guidance on health-related decisions.
• Real estate appraisal or property valuation - Our reports do not assess property values or investment merit.
• Comprehensive environmental assessment - We do not conduct site visits, soil testing, water sampling, or any on-site investigation.

5. Decision-Making Disclaimer

Before making any significant decisions based on environmental factors, including but not limited to purchasing property, relocating, or making health-related choices:

• Consult with qualified environmental professionals for comprehensive site assessments
• Engage licensed real estate professionals familiar with local environmental concerns
• Consult with attorneys regarding environmental liability and disclosure requirements
• Seek medical advice from healthcare professionals for health-related concerns
• Verify data directly with the relevant government agencies when accuracy is critical
• Conduct independent due diligence appropriate to your specific situation

Vrnl is not responsible for decisions made based on our reports. Our reports should be used as one informational resource among many, not as the sole basis for any decision.

6. No Guarantees

We do not guarantee:

• The accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any data in our reports
• That our reports identify all potential environmental hazards at or near a location
• That the absence of reported hazards means no hazards exist
• That environmental conditions will remain as reported
• That our service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or meet your specific needs

7. Scoring and Ratings

Environmental scores and letter grades provided in our reports are proprietary metrics designed to summarize complex data for general informational purposes. These scores are based on our methodology and weighting of various environmental factors. They should not be interpreted as scientific measurements, official government assessments, or definitive statements about environmental quality or safety. Different methodologies could produce different results.

Flood Zone Scoring: Properties in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) receive score penalties in our Climate Risk category. These penalties reflect the increased flood risk associated with these zones, but do not constitute flood risk assessments for insurance or regulatory purposes. A lower score due to flood zone designation does not guarantee flooding will occur, nor does a higher score guarantee flood safety.

8. Blog and Educational Content

Blog articles, guides, and other educational content published on Vrnl are provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Important considerations:

• AI-Assisted Content: Some content is generated with artificial intelligence assistance and reviewed by human editors. Despite editorial review, AI-generated content may contain errors, inaccuracies, or outdated information.
• Not Professional Advice: Blog content does not constitute environmental, legal, medical, real estate, or any other professional advice.
• Not Environmental Reports: Blog articles are NOT the same as Vrnl environmental screening reports and should not be treated as property-specific assessments.
• General Information Only: Topics discussed in educational content are general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation or location.
• Independent Verification: Readers should independently verify any information before making decisions and consult appropriate professionals for specific concerns.

9. Free Environmental Tools

The free tools offered on Vrnl, including State Environmental Rankings and State Comparison tools, are provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Important considerations:

• Aggregate Data Only: These tools display state-level aggregate data and do NOT assess individual addresses, properties, or locations.
• Not Property-Specific: Rankings and comparisons do not reflect conditions at any particular property. Environmental conditions vary significantly within states.
• Not Comprehensive: Tools display selected categories and may not reflect all environmental factors relevant to your situation.
• Data Limitations: Data is sourced from federal databases which may be incomplete, contain errors, or be outdated. Per-capita calculations use census estimates.
• Not Location Advice: These tools should NOT be used to make decisions about where to live, buy property, or relocate without conducting proper due diligence.
• Not Health Assessments: State rankings do not assess individual health risks. Consult healthcare professionals for health concerns.

10. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HELICAL SYSTEMS LLC D/B/A VRNL AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF OUR REPORTS OR SERVICES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA, PROPERTY VALUE, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

IN NO EVENT SHALL OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID FOR THE SPECIFIC REPORT OR SERVICE GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM.

11. User Acknowledgment

By using Vrnl services, you acknowledge and agree that:

• You have read and understood this disclaimer
• You understand the limitations of our data and reports
• You will not rely solely on our reports for important decisions
• You assume all risks associated with the use of our services
• You will seek appropriate professional advice when needed

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this disclaimer or our services, please contact us at legal@vrnl.io.