Health Risk Assessment for a Contaminated Site: A Case Study

Abstract

Health risk assessments are necessary for determining cancer risks and noncancer hazards associated with contaminated sites. A site exposure model was prepared for a contaminated site, where the major routes of exposure were likely to be ingestion and dermal contact with contaminated soil. Soil contaminants were mainly heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Health risks were calculated based on a conservative approach, which meant calculating risks for the most sensitive receptors on-site, i.e., children. As part of this conservative approach, the longest durations and frequencies of exposure that are likely in the long-term, and the highest contaminant levels on-site were chosen for risk calculations. The results of this quantitative risk assessment indicate that the cancer risk due to exposure to PAHs alone was > 10−6 based on maximum and average contaminant concentrations. The hazard index was >0.2 (soil criterion) for exposure to heavy metals alone, based only on maximum concentrati...