Professional paper
https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-59-2008-1882
Human Health Risk Assessment Approach for Urban Park Development
Lalita Bharadwaj
; College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E5, CANADA
Ray Machibroda
; Machibroda Engineering Ltd., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Abstract
A Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) was undertaken for a proposed park development “River Landing”, to be constructed along the north bank of the South Saskatchewan River in the City of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The purpose of the HHRA was to determine whether chemical constituents identified at the site, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), and toxic and heavy metals, would adversely affect the health of construction workers and potential park users. Although more traditional remediation options were considered, the risk assessment approach was chosen since it represented the best available technology. The HHRA was undertaken using protocols and methodologies proposed and readily accepted by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME), Health Canada, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Results of the risk assessment revealed that the magnitude and distribution of the chemicals at the site were such that extensive remediation was not required, and that the site could be developed without any significant restrictions on the proposed use. The assessment revealed that potential exposure to soil constituents would not result in adverse health risk to construction workers involved in park development or future park users.
Keywords
chemical contaminants; environmental site assessment; heavy metals; petroleum; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; river landing; soil; toxic metals
Hrčak ID:
26610
URI
Publication date:
17.9.2008.
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