L1: ESA & Definitions

Question 1

Definition of Environment

Answer 1

all components of Earth, including land/water/air/atmospheric layers, organic and inorganic matter, interacting natural systems

Question 2

What is ESA?

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

How many phases in ESA?

Answer 3

4

Question 4

Adverse Effect

Answer 4

harmful/undesirable effect to organism indicated by some result (mortality, altered body, etc)

Question 5

Background

Answer 5

Area not influenced by chemicals (naturally there)

Question 6

Contaminant

Answer 6

Physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance in soil,air, or water that has an adverse effect

Question 7

Contaminated Site

Answer 7

site where substances occur at concentrations above background level and can pose hazard to human health and environment or exceeds regulation levels

Question 8

Ecological Risk Assessment

Answer 8

defining and quantifying risks to non-human biota and determining acceptability of risks

Question 9

Exposure

Answer 9

contact between contaminant and individual/population

Question 10

Exposure Pathway

Answer 10

Route from receptor to contaminant (ingestion, absorption, inhalation)

Question 11

Generic Criteria

Answer 11

Numerical values for concentration of chemicals in soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediments considered safe

Question 12

Guideline Based Approach

Answer 12

Site remediation criteria developed by federal, provincial, or other authorities

Question 13

Hazard

Answer 13

Adverse impact on health/property from exposure to a substance

Question 14

Human Health Assessment

Answer 14

Defining and Quantifying risks and acceptability of risks to humans

Question 15

Media

Answer 15

Fundamental components of the environment (water, sediment, soil, biota - houses contaminant)

Question 16

Model

Answer 16

Conceptual, mathematical, or physical system that represents real system to understand processes

Question 17

Objectives

Answer 17

Numerical values/statement established to protect and maintain specified uses of water, sediment, or soil at a specific site

Question 18

Pathway

Answer 18

Route that chemical substance/material moves in environment (source to receptor, air/water/soil to us)

Question 19

Receptor

Answer 19

Person/organisms exposed to chemicals

Question 20

Remediation

Answer 20

Improvement of contaminated site to prevent, minimize, and mitigate damage to human health and environment

Question 21

Remediation Criteria

Answer 21

Numerical limits/statements of variables/substances in water/sediment/soil recommended to protect and maintain contaminated sites

Question 22

Risk Assessment

Answer 22

Scientific examination of nature and risk to define effects on receptors exposed to contaminants

Question 23

Risk-Based Approach

Answer 23

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)

Question 24

Screening

Answer 24

Rapid analysis to determine if further action is needed

Question 25

Site-specific Remediation Objectives

Answer 25

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)

Question 26

Toxicity

Answer 26

Any damage to structure/body, exposure under toxic effects are produced

Question 27

ESA: Phase 1

Answer 27

gathering information through interviews, site visits, record reviews, previous ESA reports, etc)

Question 28

ESA: Phase 2

Answer 28

Confirming phase 1 findings by taking samples

Question 29

ESA: Phase 3

Answer 29

Develop/Implement plan to clean up site (remediation process)

Question 30

ESA: Phase 4

Answer 30

Documenting clean up process, record and watch final site conditions