Toxicology and risk assessment
The assessment and management of contaminated
sites in Australia is conducted in accordance with the
NEPM (Assessment of Site Contamination), NEPC,
1999. This includes a framework for risk assessment
to determine the health and environmental impact
of contaminants. The NEPM provides a series of
‘investigation levels’, where contaminant
concentrations exceed the investigation levels a
site specific risk assessment is recommended.
Risk assessment has been increasingly used by
state environmental regulatory agencies in Australia
as a tool to gauge the impacts of environmental
contamination on the natural environment and on
human health, and to assist in maintaining and
improving environmental quality.
Risk assessment provides a scientifically rational
framework for assessing the significance of
contamination on a site-specific basis and allows
both health and environmental risks to be identified
and managed in a cost effective manner.
Recognising and acknowledging the economic
and commercial constraints inherent in health and
environmental impact assessment, Tonkin & Taylor
applies modelling and evaluation of risk scenarios
as an integral component of optimising risk
assessment outcomes. We use risk assessment as
part of our approach to target remediation and risk
management strategies.
Our risk assessment team works closely with other
staff within the wider T&T Group providing support
to environmental management, site assessment
and remediation, water industry services and
environmental assessment projects. In particular,
our risk assessment and hydrogeology teams work
together closely in assessing the fate and transport
of contaminants in the soil and groundwater
environments, drawing on skills in the areas of
groundwater flow analysis, contaminant transport
modelling and unsaturated zone modelling.
Expertise
T&T risk assessment specialists work in the following areas:
- Contaminated soil and groundwater
- Air pollution
- Surface water pollution
- Chemical assessment.
Download pdf 
For more information please contact Tony Cussins. |
