Investigating and assessing asbestos in soil - Webinar
This is the second in a series of three webinars which will include updates on relevant developments since the publication of CIRIA C733 in 2014. This webinar will provide regulators and practitioners with currently recognised good practice relating to investigating and assessing asbestos in soil including estimating cumulative exposures and quantitative dose response modelling the measurement of asbestos in soil.
When
23 March 2016
12.30 - 14.30 (Webinar log in opens at Noon)
Background
Asbestos is collective term for a group of fibrous silicate minerals (5 amphiboles and 1 serpentine), which are toxic and known to cause serious illnesses. The main concerns in relation to asbestos in soils and made ground are likely to be cancers of the lung, particularly mesothelioma. For many decades asbestos was widely used in a plethora of building materials in the UK, including concrete products, fire-proofing and thermal and noise insulation materials. Currently in the UK, around 2000-3000 people die of asbestos-related disease every year due to historic exposures to airborne asbestos fibres. However, poor demolition and disposal practices, and other anthropogenic processes have resulted in asbestos often being present in the soils and made ground, particularly on brownfield sites.
CIRIA published the first UK good practice guidance on risk assessment and management for asbestos-containing soils in 2014. This series of webinar will add value to this guidance (C733) as it will help the construction industry to keep up-to-date with this rapidly emerging issue, which is currently resulting in significant costs and time delays on a large number of sites.
This is the second of the 3 lunchtime webinars on topics relating to asbestos-containingnig soils, which will also include updates on relevant developments since the publication of CIRIA C733 Asbestos in soil and made ground: a guide to understanding and managing risks in 2014. These webinars will provide regulators and practitioners with currently recognised good practice relating to:
- The measurement of asbestos in soil (Webinar 1)
- Investigating and assessing asbestos in soil - including estimating cumulative exposures and quantitative dose response modelling (Webinar 2)
- Remediation, waste and perception issues – including available remediation options, waste management complications and the importance of risk communication (Webinar 3).
Why attend
This webinar will:
- summarise the current understanding of asbestos toxicology and epidemiology
- examine the principles of qualitative risk assessment for asbestos-containing soils and the concept of ‘multiple lines of evidence’
- explain the principles of quantitative risk assessment including estimating cumulative exposures and dose response modelling and the potential pitfalls
- discuss the limitations and uncertainties, and how to interpret the results.
Programme
12.00 Webinar open to be logged on
12.30 Introduction to Asbestos toxicology and epidemiology
What diseases does inhalation of asbestos lead to? Is it one-fibre-kills? What is the health criterion value for asbestos? Levels of risk under planning, Part 2A and common law
12.55 Generic quantitative risk assessment:
- UK thresholds: clearance limit; occupational exposure threshold
- Dutch guidance and thresholds/processes
- US superfund guidance
- Western Australia and Australia’s National Environmental Protection Measure (NEPM) guidance and thresholds/processes
- Uncertainty, applicability and common issues
13.25 Estimating cumulative exposures and dose response modelling
- what is a cumulative exposure and how is it calculated from:
- air monitoring data and its limitations
- soil concentrations
- ‘fibre release potential' measurements - the importance of 'lines of evidence‘
- model availability and risk summary tables
- childhood correction factors
- applicability to low level exposure
- uncertainties.
14.00 . How to interpret the results
- approaches to uncertainty & sensitivity analysis
- different legal contexts
- what is an "acceptable" excess lifetime cancer risk according to UK policy or the pubic?
14.15 Questions and discussion
14.25 Summary and look forward
14.30 Close
Speakers
Paul Nathanial/Richard Odgen
Who should attend
Clients, Contactors, Consultants, LAs and Regulators
When
23 March 2016
12.30 - 14.30 (Webinar log in opens at Noon)
Fees
Free for LACL and BRMF members
£70+VAT for non members
Booking
If you are unable to book online contact Patrick Williams on 020 7549 3300. Your completed booking form can be returned by post or email to Patrick Williams.