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| Resource Library > Technology Transfer > Risk-Based Standards |
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The objective of risk-based remediation is to reduce the risk of specific chemicals to human health and/or ecological receptors (i.e., non-domesticated plants and animals). For any chemical to pose a risk, four elements must exist at the site:
- A source of chemical contamination that exceeds or could generate chemical contamination above health-protective or aesthetic standards;
- A mechanism of contaminant release;
- A human or ecological receptor available for chemical contact; and
- A completed exposure route through which that receptor will contact the chemical.
If any one of these four elements is absent at a site, there is no current risk. The reduction or elimination of risk can be accomplished by limiting or removing any one of these four elements from the site. The goal of risk-based remediation approach is to find the most cost-effective method of reducing current and future potential risk by combining three risk-reduction techniques:
- Contaminant source reduction - Achieved by natural attenuation processes over time or by engineered removals such as free product recovery, soil vapor extraction (SVE), in situ bioventing, enhanced in situ bioremediation, etc.
- Contaminant migration control - Examples include natural attenuation of a groundwater plume, and SVE to prevent migration of hazardous vapors to a receptor exposure point.
- Receptor restriction - Examples include land use controls and site fencing to control receptor exposure to site contaminants until natural attenuation and/or engineered remediation reduce the chemical source and/or eliminate the potential for chemical migration to an exposure point.
Available here are several tools AFCEE Technology Transfer has produced to aid in approaching risk-based cleanup efforts. If you need additional information, please contact AFCEE Technology Transfer via email or call 210-395-8424 (DSN 240).
Streamlined Risk-based Closure of Petroleum Contaminated Sites, Performance and Cost Results from Multiple Air Force Demonstration Sites
This October 1999 report summarizes the results of streamlined risk-based corrective action (RBCA) assessments permformed for nine USAF sites with fuel contaminated groundwater (0.8MB).
Risk-based Approach to Petroleum Hydrocarbon Remediation
This document is an update of the Air Force Handbook for Remediation of Petroleum Contaminated Sites (1993). It provides environmental managers and their supporting technical specialists with a comprehensive strategy for cost-effectively cleaning up soils and groundwater contaminated by petroleum releases. It is "risk-based" because it focuses on reducing unacceptable risks at contaminated sites. It suggests using risk management methods such as land use controls, site-specific risk analysis, natural attenuation and focused source reduction technologies to reduce risk and remediate sites. (4.0MB)
Short Paper on Risk-based Approach to Petroleum Hydrocarbon Remediation (392 KB)
This document presents a summary of the tools developed under under the BTEX, Natural Attenuation), Bioslurper, and Bioventing Initiatives of the AFCEE Technology Transfer Program to construct a risk-based cost-effective approach to the cleanup of petroleum contaminated sites.
Use of Risk-based Standards for Cleanup of Petroleum-Contaminated Soil
This package consists of two documents. The first, Evaluation of the Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Standard for Cleanup of Petroleum Contaminated Sites, is an AFIT thesis that addresses the use of the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) standard for petroleum-contaminated soils. The second, Evaluation of the Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Standard at Jet Fuel Contaminated Air Force Sites, presents the scientific basis for use of compounds other than TPH in establishing cleanup standards at JP-4 spill sites. (19.3MB)
State summary of Soil and Groundwater Cleanup Standards for Hydrocarbons
This is the 1997 version of the yearly survey of State cleanup standards as compiled by the Association for the Environmental Health of Soils (AEHS). (1.3MB)
Remediation of Chlorinated Solvent Contamination on Industrial and Airfield Sites (4.6 MB)
This document combines the "lessons learned" from two decades of remediation experience with the recent emphasis on risk-based and site-specific cleanup objectives. The intended result is a more realistic approach to chlorinated solvent remediation on industrial/flightline sites.
Review of State Regulations Regarding Natural Attenuation as a Remedial Option
A 1994 summary of early State acceptance of natural attenuation of BTEX as a remedial option. (0.6MB)
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