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Generic and site‐specific criteria in assessment of human health risk from contaminated soil
Author(s) -
Nathanail C.P.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
soil use and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.709
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1475-2743
pISSN - 0266-0032
DOI - 10.1079/sum2005341
Subject(s) - human health , risk assessment , risk analysis (engineering) , stakeholder , contaminated land , environmental planning , risk management , environmental science , conservatism , environmental resource management , contamination , environmental health , business , computer science , medicine , ecology , environmental remediation , biology , public relations , computer security , finance , political science , law , politics
Abstract. Previous industrial and waste disposal activities and natural processes have led to elevated concentrations of harmful substances in soil. Risk‐based land management requires the risk posed by such substances to be managed. Generic assessment criteria offer a simple and efficient but often over‐cautious approach to human health risk assessment. Site‐specific assessment criteria reduce over‐conservatism but require extra time and effort to determine. Generic assessment criteria should represent contaminant concentrations below which there is no unacceptable risk to human health. Consistent definitions, application and interpretation are essential prerequisites for fostering and maintaining stakeholder confidence in risk‐based land management.