Put risk-based remediation to work
- Geomatrix Consultants, San Francisco, CA (United States)
Risk-based site cleanups are gaining prominence in environmental remediation. In particular, the ``brownfields`` program in the US--designed to promote the redevelopment of contaminated industrial sites rather than the development of pristine sites--is bringing this new remediation approach to the forefront on a national basis. The traditional approach to remediating a contaminated site is dubbed the remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI-FS) approach. Using an RI-FS approach, site operators and environmental consultants conduct a complete site characterization, using extensive air, water and soil sampling, and then evaluate all potential remediation alternatives. In many cases, the traditional remediation goal has been to return contaminant levels to background or ``non-detect`` levels--with little or no regard to the potential future use of the site. However, with cleanup costs on the rise, and a heightened awareness of the ``how clean is clean`` debate, nay are beginning to view the RI-FS approach as excessive. By comparison, the goal for a focused, risk-based site remediation is to protect human health and the environment in a manner that is consistent with the planned use of the site. Compared to a standard RI-FS cleanup, the newer method can save time and money, by prioritizing site-restoration activities based on risk analysis. A comparison of the to approaches for metals-laden soil is presented.
- OSTI ID:
- 118674
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Engineering World, Journal Name: Environmental Engineering World Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 1; ISSN EEWOFR; ISSN 1079-3186
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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