Overview of the ASTM Risk-Based Corrective Action (RBCA) Program

Abstract

Over the past five years risk-based corrective action (RBCA) has become a more important approach for managing releases of chemicals to the environment. One of the key forces behind this transformation has been the efforts of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) committee members who have developed standardized frameworks for implementing RBCA programs. Currently over 40 states are considering adoption of RBCA procedures for management of corrective action at USTs (Underground Storage Tanks) based on an XSTM (American Society of Testing and Materials) standard issued in 1995. A new ASTM Standard, Standard Provisional Guide to Risk-Based Corrective Action” (I’S 104-98) was issued in 1998 and supercedes the older petroleum release standard. The new standard is more generic, and addrtsses a wide variety of chemical releases to the environment. Overall, the new focus on risk-based approaches is a positive development. A risk-based approach means environmental cleanups can be conducted on a rationale manner based on tht! actual risk that the site poses to society, and allows for a flexible approacl- to managing those risks. Movement towards risk-based approaches does raise a concern that they will impose greater complexity on site evaluation processes, with significant variability among states. However, software tools can help to make make it easier to implement RBCA approtiches at a wide variety of sites.