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A new CIRIA project, Assessment and management of VOCs generated from
brownfield sites (RP766) will examine how to assess and manage the risks
to human health from volatile chemicals in the ground. The project will result
in published guidance on the Defra/EA recommended three tiers risk assessment
approach in particular, detailed investigation of VOCs (Tier 3) in helping
the determination of:
• the spatial extent of contamination around and under buildings including
the identification of free phase and mixtures;
• soil properties relevant to assessing vapour intrusion potential;
• building properties relevant to assessing vapour intrusion potential
including techniques to measure soil gas ingress rates and building ventilation
rates
• the vapour concentration in the ground (and beneath building foundations)
and its implications for ambient and indoor risk assessments
• effect of attenuation of vapours along the pathway including biodegradation
• interpreting data to assess the significance of risk, etc.
CIRIA will be working with the Energy Institute in this project and the guidance will be consistent and provide an important extension and compatibility with the likely approach proposed by Defra and being developed by the Environment Agency.
Funders of this project include the Environment Agency, Card Geotechnics, RSK, EPG, Waterman Environmental, Fairview Homes and ICI.
To find out more about this project, contact Joanne Kwan, Project Manager, CIRIA
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