The acronym “TPH” stands for “total petroleum hydrocarbons,” but the laboratory analyses might not be total, might not be entirely petroleum, and might not be entirely hydrocarbons, so careful examination of the meaning of the results is important. Definitions for total petroleum hydrocarbons vary for different regulatory jurisdictions and between analytical laboratories. The same total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration may represent very different compositions and very different potential risks or hazards to human health and the environment at two sites and/or at the same site in different media.
The Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons Risk Evaluation at Petroleum-Contaminated Sites (TPHRisk-1, 2018) guidance helps regulators and practitioners navigate the field to better evaluate risk and make cleanup decisions at sites. It explains the unique challenges of working with total petroleum hydrocarbons and reviews different approaches used by states and other organizations. The guidance highlights key considerations for assessing both human health and ecological risks, and provides tools and lessons learned to support more consistent and scientifically defensible decision-making.
Topic(s): Hydrocarbons, Petroleum Hydrocarbons, Site Characterization, TPH
