Recommended Canadian soil quality guidelines
This document introduces a new set of Canadian soil quality guidelines derived specifically for the protection of ecological receptors in the environment or for the protection of human health associated with four land uses: Agricultural, residential/parkland, commercial, and industrial. Environmental soil quality guidelines are derived using toxicological data to determine the threshold level on key receptors. Another derivation procedure based on soil and food ingestion is also applied in the case of agricultural land use. Derivation of human health guidelines is based on a different procedure using steps similar to those employed in a site-specific risk assessment. Direct and indirect soil exposure pathways (such as leaching into groundwater) are considered through the use of check mechanisms. The soil quality guidelines are presented on a chemical by chemical basis in a summarized fact sheet format, including information on properties, sources, Canadian production and uses, environmental fate and behaviour, and toxicity. Substances for which guidelines are given include arsenic, benzene, metals, naphthalene, phenol, xylene, ethylene glycol, tetrachloroethylene, and toluene.
- Research Organization:
- Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada)
- OSTI ID:
- 658782
- Report Number(s):
- MIC--98-05369/XAB; ISBN 1-895925-92-4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Canadian soil quality guidelines for pentachlorophenol: Environmental and human health
Canadian sediment and soil quality guidelines for mercury