Soil background refers to the naturally occurring and widespread anthropogenic concentrations of chemicals present in soil that are not attributable to a specific release or site activity. Understanding soil background is an important component of environmental risk assessment, which evaluates whether chemicals in the environment may pose risks to human health or ecological receptors and helps inform site investigation and cleanup decisions.
The Soil Background and Risk Assessment (SBR-1, 2021) guidance provides a comprehensive, consensus-based framework for establishing soil background and incorporating background concentrations into risk assessments. Developed for risk assessors, risk managers, site investigators, regulators, and other stakeholders, the resource compiles current best practices, scientific considerations, and references to state, federal, and ITRC resources in a single location.
Topic(s): Risk Assessment, Risk Management, Site Characterization, Soil Background, Soils
