Risk analysis
Sanitary and environmental risk analysis
Analyzing the sanitary and environmental risk is currently the
most advanced tool supporting decisions for the management of
contaminated sites. It enables a quantitative evaluation of human
health risks related to the presence of pollutants in the
environment.
The starting point for the application of a risk
analysis is the development of a Site Conceptual Model (MCS),
based on the identification and parameter setting of three
main elements:
- the contamination source,
- the pollutants’ migration routes in the envornment
- and the contamination targets or receptors in the site or its
surroundings.
A human health risk can only be determined if these three
elements exist and are related in a given site.
Calculating the risk as codified by the National Academy of
Science (NAS, 1983) is done in four stages (see figure). The
estimated risk is compared with acceptance criteria defined by the
regulations. Risk analysis can be applied as described above either
in a direct (forward) way, by estimating the risk in
relation to the site’s contamination conditions, or in a
(backward) way, starting from risk acceptance criteria and
fixing acceptable contamination levels and reclamation objectives
for the site of reference.
Method criteria for applying the absolute risk
analysis
The documents entitled “Criteri metodologici per
l'applicazione dell'analisi assoluta di rischio ai siti
contaminati” (Method criteria for applying the absolute risk
analysis to contaminated sites) and “Criteri metodologici per
l’applicazione dell’analisi assoluta di rischio alle
discariche” (Method criteria for applying the absolute risk
analysis to dumps) were prepared by the ARPA/APPA, ISS, ISPESL,
ICRAM task force, which was established and coordinated by APAT.
The aim was to draw up and revise technical documents containing
theoretical and application indications for technical staff of
public administrations, researchers, professionals and operators of
the sector who prepare and/or evaluate reclamation projects for
contaminated sites, including those who process sanitary and
environmental risk analyses. The handbook’s approach refers
to the ASTM’s RBCA standard (E 1739-95, E 2081-00).
Method criteria appendices provide detailed descriptions of the
criteria adopted and the analyses carried out to identify and
select the equations.
Any queries related to the application of method criteria can be
forwarded to the following address: criterimetodologici@apat.it
ISS/ISPESL database “Chemical/physical and toxicological
properties of pollutants”.
The chemical/physical and toxicological properties, required in
applying the risk analysis procedure, are provided for several
substances. Appendix O of “Method criteria for applying the
absolute risk analysis to contaminated sites” describes the
procedure adopted in selecting values to be included in the
database of chemical/physical and toxicological properties of the
main types of chemical pollutants. The database was prepared by the
Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS- National Institute of
Health) and the Istituto Superiore per la Prevenzione e la
Sicurezza sul Lavoro (ISPESL – Higher Institute for
Prevention and Safety at Work). The Civil Engineering Department of
the “Tor Vergata” University of Rome also participated
in this activity.
For a correct use of the ISS-ISPESL database, users are
requested to carefully read APPENDIX O of "Criteri metodologici per
l'applicazione dell'analisi assoluta di rischio ai siti
contaminati" (Method criteria for applying the absolute risk
analysis to contaminated sites).
Download the ISS/ISPESL database (updated on 16 May, 2008)
