L1: ESA & Definitions Flashcards
Definition of Environment
all components of Earth, including land/water/air/atmospheric layers, organic and inorganic matter, interacting natural systems
What is ESA?
Environmental Site Assessment: process to protect property investors, owners, and managers, from environmental liability. Includes studies, services, and investigations to plan, manage, and direct assessment.
How many phases in ESA?
4
Adverse Effect
harmful/undesirable effect to organism indicated by some result (mortality, altered body, etc)
Background
Area not influenced by chemicals (naturally there)
Contaminant
Physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance in soil,air, or water that has an adverse effect
Contaminated Site
site where substances occur at concentrations above background level and can pose hazard to human health and environment or exceeds regulation levels
Ecological Risk Assessment
defining and quantifying risks to non-human biota and determining acceptability of risks
Exposure
contact between contaminant and individual/population
Exposure Pathway
Route from receptor to contaminant (ingestion, absorption, inhalation)
Generic Criteria
Numerical values for concentration of chemicals in soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediments considered safe
Guideline Based Approach
Site remediation criteria developed by federal, provincial, or other authorities
Hazard
Adverse impact on health/property from exposure to a substance
Human Health Assessment
Defining and Quantifying risks and acceptability of risks to humans
Media
Fundamental components of the environment (water, sediment, soil, biota - houses contaminant)
Model
Conceptual, mathematical, or physical system that represents real system to understand processes
Objectives
Numerical values/statement established to protect and maintain specified uses of water, sediment, or soil at a specific site
Pathway
Route that chemical substance/material moves in environment (source to receptor, air/water/soil to us)
Receptor
Person/organisms exposed to chemicals
Remediation
Improvement of contaminated site to prevent, minimize, and mitigate damage to human health and environment
Remediation Criteria
Numerical limits/statements of variables/substances in water/sediment/soil recommended to protect and maintain contaminated sites
Risk Assessment
Scientific examination of nature and risk to define effects on receptors exposed to contaminants
Risk-Based Approach
Approach based on evaluation of hazard/exposure potential at a site (use in absence of national criteria for contaminant, when guideline based criteria is not appropriate for site conditions, significant receptors of concern are identified, significant public concern)
Screening
Rapid analysis to determine if further action is needed
Site-specific Remediation Objectives
applying environmental quality guidelines at site level to establish remediation targets for site (may be adopted/modified from existing guidelines or developed from risk assessment approach)
Toxicity
Any damage to structure/body, exposure under toxic effects are produced
ESA: Phase 1
gathering information through interviews, site visits, record reviews, previous ESA reports, etc)
ESA: Phase 2
Confirming phase 1 findings by taking samples
ESA: Phase 3
Develop/Implement plan to clean up site (remediation process)
ESA: Phase 4
Documenting clean up process, record and watch final site conditions
