Unit ED2: Environmental Risk Evaluation Flashcards
List the 3 methods Estimating the Probability of Events
- Historical information analysis.
- Synthesise analysis.
- Magnitude estimation
What is Historical information analysis.
involves looking at past experiences/datas on reliability of components to determine future probability of occurrence.
What is Synthesise analysis.
is used to determine probabilities for operational or process failure. This method involves using logic diagrams to show the spread of events and faults through a system
List 2 examples of Synthesise analysis.
- FTA
- ETA
What is Magnitude estimation
Where there is no specific guidance available a simple scale can be used.
What is the The main objectives of risk assessment
The main objectives of risk assessment is to determine the measures required to comply with relevant, health, safety and environmental legislation.
List the 2 types of Risk Assessment Models
- quantitative
- qualitative
What is a quantitative RA
A quantitative risk assessment, using numerical values, can be used to quantify the risk level in terms of the likelihood of an incident and its severity
What is a qualitative RA
During a qualitative risk assessment, a judgement is made as to whether the risk is probable in terms of high, medium, low or negligible. The consequences are calculated on a scale of severe, moderate, mild or negligible
What is the objective of the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH) 2015.
Their main aim is to prevent and mitigate the effects of those major accidents involving dangerous substances, such as chlorine, liquefied petroleum gas, explosives and arsenic pentoxide which can cause serious damage or harm to people and, or the environment
The COMAH Regulations are enforced by in the U.K.
The Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency.
List the requirements of the COMAH regulations
- Prepare a Major Accident Prevention Policy
- Prepare and Test an on-site Emergency Plan
- Provide Certain Information to the Public about their Activities.
What is a Cost-Benefit Analysis
Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) seeks to compare the monetary value of benefits with the monetary value of costs.
What is the definition of a benefit and cost
- benefit: anything that increases human well-being.
- Cost = anything that decreases human well-being.
What is Environmental Modelling
Models can be used to assist in determining the outcome for changes, policies or controls. The models will replicate the surrounding area under testing and the outcome of changes such as pollution incidents can be estimated,
List the different types of Air modeling
- Plume rise model
- Gaussian model
- Semi empirical models
List the different types of water models
- Hydrodynamic model
- Water quality model
- Particle tracking model
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA).
Environmental LCA or product life analysis (PLA) are detailed studies of the energy requirements, raw material usage and water, air, and solid wastes generation of an activity, material, product or package throughout its entire life cycle”.
There are four phases in conducting a life cycle analysis which are defined in ISO 14040:2006 as follows:
- goal and scope definition
- life cycle inventory analysis
- life cycle impact analysis
- interpretation
- reporting
- critical review
What is Life cycle inventory (LCI) analysis.
Inventory analysis involves the compilation and quantification of the material, energy and waste flows (environmental aspects).
What is Life cycle impact assessment.
ISO 14040 states that this phase is aimed at evaluating the significant environmental impacts usingthe life cycle inventory results.
What is the Definition of
Environmental toxicology
Definition.
Environmental toxicology or ecotoxicology studies the effects of chemicals released into the environment on animals and plants.
What are the two important parameters in determining in determining the toxicity of a chemical in the environment
- exposure to the chemical
- dose received
What does Predicted No-Effect Concentration (PNEC) mean
The Predicted No-Effect Concentration (PNEC) represents the concentration of a chemical, which has no predicted effect on the environment.
What is the LC50
The LC50 is a calculated concentration of a test substance that kills 50% of a test species during a period of exposure (often 96 hours).
What is bioaccumulation
Many organisms accumulate chemicals in their tissues, this is called bioaccumulation. As predators eat their prey, they may gain the chemicals which have bioaccumulated and hence the chemical concentration may increase up the food chain. This is called biomagnification.
What is an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
The EIA process is a systematic process that examines the environmental consequences of development actions in advance
Who is Involved in an EIA?
- the developer
- planning authority
- general public
What are the Stages of Environmental Impact Assessment.
- screening
- scoping
- Environmental statement production
- Planning application and consultation.
- Decision making.
What does Screening entail in EIA
The first stage in the process requires the Local Planning Authority to determine whether the proposed development requires an Environmental Impact Assessment.
There are two schedules that contain lists of projects which are relevant to each schedule
What is scoping in an EIA
The purpose of scoping is to identify the effects that are most likely to be significant in order to focus the time and resources devoted to the EIA on the important issues.
What information should be included in environmental statements:
- A description of the proposal.
This should include detailed drawn plans. - An outline of the alternatives considered.
- A description of the environment likely to be affected.
- Measures to Reduce or Offset the Impacts.
- A Non-Technical Summary
List the Legal Requirements for EIA
- EU: Directive 2014/52/EU.
- Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment)
Regulations (Amendment) 2015
What is a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA
- Strategic environmental assessments (SEA’s) are required to be carried out by competent authorities
(mainly central government) to assist in the achievement of sustainable development in policy- making
