Description: Contaminated land has been one of the last major environmental concerns to be taken seriously in the UK. It lags far behind air and water quality in terms of statutory and technical approach to control. However, the increasing focus on environmental safety by both government and the public means that land contamination is no longer an issue that need only be considered during redevelopment of abandoned or derelict sites. When land is contaminated it can affect human health, the environment and buildings and structures. In its worse state, contaminated land can cause unacceptable risk to human health and the environment. Good practice in the management of contaminated land involves assessment of the risk that the contamination might be posing. This book and the associated training pack (CIRIA C553, 2001) examine the risk assessment of contaminated land and explain the key elements of risk assessment practices and procedures. The book is intended to assist all practitioners to align their abilities at a common level so as to promote industry-wide consistency. It will be of particular benefit to geotechnical and environmental engineers, developers, regulators and lawyers.

Keywords: ground investigation and characterisation, contaminated land.

Contents: 1 Introduction, 2 The basic framework for contaminated land risk assessment, 3 Defining risk assessment objectives, 4 Phase 1 risk assessment - gathering information, 5 Phase 2 risk estimation: site investigations to acquire data, 6 Phase 2 - estimation and evaluation: the significance of risk, 7 Risk communication, References, Appendices

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