During the initial phases of a site investigation or cleanup project, regulators often use chemical specific screening values to decide if the presence of chemicals at a site may pose a threat to human health or the environment, or both, and if there is the need for further action. For some chemicals, the screening values fall within the range of concentrations found in soils from natural or anthropogenic ambient background. Most regulatory agencies require a response action only when the concentrations of a chemical in soil exceed its background concentrations. Consequently, soil background plays an important role in remedial 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
