Question 1

What is Vrnl?

Accepted Answer

Vrnl compiles publicly available federal environmental data into easy-to-understand reports. Think of it as a "Carfax for locations" — we help you understand environmental factors around any US address before you make important decisions about where to live, work, or invest.

Question 2

What data sources do you use?

Accepted Answer

We aggregate data from EPA (Superfund sites, TRI facilities, water quality violations, PFAS detections), FEMA (disaster declarations), AirNow (real-time air quality), NOAA (climate patterns), MSHA (mining operations), USGS (historical mines), and more. All data comes from official federal government databases.

Question 3

Is this the same as a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment?

Accepted Answer

No. Vrnl reports are informational screening tools — NOT Phase I ESAs. We do not conduct site visits, soil testing, groundwater sampling, or stakeholder interviews. For property transactions requiring CERCLA liability protection, you need a licensed environmental consultant to conduct a proper Phase I ESA.

Question 4

How does pricing work?

Accepted Answer

We offer one-time purchases — no subscriptions required. Buy credits to generate reports. Options include single reports, multi-report bundles for home buyers, and professional packages for agents and investors. Visit our Pricing page for current rates.

Question 5

What is an "access window"?

Accepted Answer

Bundles include a time window (typically 90-120 days) to use your credits. Single reports have no time limit. After the access window expires, any unused credits are "frozen" but can be reactivated with any future purchase — your credits never disappear.

Question 6

Do credits expire?

Accepted Answer

Single report credits never expire. Bundle credits freeze after the access window closes but are automatically reactivated (and added to) when you make any new purchase. Legacy beta users have no expiration on their credits.

Question 7

Do you offer refunds?

Accepted Answer

Reports are digital products delivered immediately upon generation. Once a report has been generated, we cannot offer refunds. If you experience a technical issue that prevents you from accessing a report you paid for, please contact us and we'll work with you on a case-by-case basis.

Question 8

How accurate is the data?

Accepted Answer

We display data exactly as reported by federal agencies — we don't modify or interpret it. However, government databases may be incomplete, outdated, or contain errors. We recommend using our reports as a starting point and verifying critical information with official sources or local experts.

Question 9

Why is some data missing for my location?

Accepted Answer

Data coverage varies by region and category. Some areas have more air quality monitoring stations, documented facilities, or historical records than others. Missing data doesn't necessarily mean "no hazards" — it means no data is currently available in federal databases for that category.

Question 10

How current is the information?

Accepted Answer

Data currency varies by source. Air quality is updated hourly. Climate disaster data is current to the latest FEMA declarations. TRI facility data typically reflects the previous reporting year. Each report section includes data vintage information so you know how recent the information is.

Question 11

What area does a report cover?

Accepted Answer

Each report analyzes environmental data within approximately 3-10 miles of your address, depending on the category. High-concern categories like Superfund sites and PFAS use tighter search radii, while broader awareness categories like industrial facilities use wider radii.

Question 12

Do I need an account to use Vrnl?

Accepted Answer

You can preview basic reports without an account. To purchase full reports with detailed facility information, historical trends, and PDF export, you'll need to create a free account.

Question 13

Can I share my report?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can download a PDF of any report you've purchased and share it with family, real estate agents, or other stakeholders. However, commercial redistribution or resale of reports is prohibited under our Terms of Service.

Question 14

How many free previews can I generate?

Accepted Answer

You can generate up to 5 unique address previews per day. Preview reports show overall grades and category scores, but detailed facility names, distances, historical trends, and AI analysis are locked until you purchase the full report.

Question 15

Can real estate agents use Vrnl?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Our Agent Preview package is designed for real estate professionals who need to run multiple reports for clients. It's a great way to provide environmental context during the home buying process — just be sure to include appropriate disclaimers that this is not a substitute for professional environmental assessment.

Question 16

Can I use Vrnl reports for legal or liability purposes?

Accepted Answer

No. Our reports are strictly informational and cannot be used for CERCLA due diligence ("innocent landowner" defense), legal proceedings, regulatory compliance, or liability determinations. For those purposes, you need assessments from qualified environmental professionals.

Question 17

Is Vrnl appropriate for commercial real estate?

Accepted Answer

Vrnl reports can provide useful preliminary screening for commercial properties, but commercial transactions typically require formal Phase I Environmental Site Assessments. Our reports can help you identify areas of concern before commissioning more expensive professional assessments.

Question 18

Doesn't AI have a negative environmental impact?

Accepted Answer

Yes, data centers use energy. However, we believe the environmental cost of ignorance—people living in toxic zones, requiring medical care, and wasting resources on damaged properties—is far higher. We optimize our tech to be energy-efficient, and we pledge a portion of our revenue to physical environmental cleanup projects to ensure Vrnl remains a net positive for the planet. Read more on our Ethics & Transparency page.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Vrnl

Pricing & Credits

Data & Accuracy

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Ethics & AI

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