California Code, Health and Safety Code - HSC § 78095

“Preliminary endangerment assessment” means an activity that is performed to determine whether current or past hazardous substance management practices have resulted in a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance that poses a threat to the public health or the environment and is conducted in a manner that complies with the guidelines published by the department entitled “Preliminary Endangerment Assessment: Guidance Manual,” or as those guidelines may be amended by the department. A preliminary endangerment assessment includes all of the following activities: