Federal Contaminated Site Risk Assessment in Canada, Supplemental Guidance on Human Health Risk Assessment of Contaminated Sediments: Direct Contact Pathway

2017
ISBN: 978-0-660-07989-9
Cat.: H144-41/2017E-PDF

This guidance document, Federal Contaminated Site Risk Assessment in Canada: Supplemental Guidance on Human Health Risk Assessment of Contaminated Sediments: Direct Contact Pathway, was prepared for the benefit of custodial departments.

Health Canada's Preliminary Quantitative Risk Assessment (PQRA) and Detailed Quantitative Risk Assessment (DQRA) guidance are applicable to federal contaminated sites; however, there are unique considerations relevant to aquatic sites that are not covered in these general guidance documents. The purpose of this supplemental guidance document is to provide information related to evaluating human exposure to chemicals in sediments via direct contact (i.e. incidental ingestion, dermal contact and inhalation of particulates), especially where receptor characteristics and exposure scenarios for aquatic sediment sites may differ from terrestrial (soil) sites. For example, dermal loading (or adherence) factors, incidental ingestion rates and exposed skin surface area for sediment exposure scenarios may be greater than those for terrestrial activities associated with soil. Exposure frequency and duration may also differ between aquatic and terrestrial sites.

The guidance provided in this document applies to both marine and freshwater environments on federal contaminated sites being managed under FCSAP. It is not applicable to constructed wetlands and lagoons that are used to treat storm water run-off or industrial and/or municipal effluents as part of a wastewater treatment system.

The Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) is a program of the Government of Canada designed to achieve improved and continuing federal environmental stewardship as it relates to contaminated sites located on federally owned or operated properties or non-federal lands for which the federal government has accepted full responsibility.