Enviromental Audit For Commercial Building
I know that a bank will want a phase 1environmental audit before lending on commercial property. Before spending the money on that is there a way to do a pre-lim of info to see if I want to proceed? How would you find previous uses of a building? Where do you search for that info? 
As for researching previous uses of a property, the zoning office in the municipality may have information. However, that's not going to be definitive. You might also check with the environmental protection agency for your state, and also see what aerial photography you can find (if not at the municipality, then try the county/regional planning commission). I'm not sure you're going to get anything definitive on the question "is the property contaminated" short of actually having someone do a phase 1 for you.