Calculation of Human Health Risk-Based Screening Levels (RBSLS) For Petroleum

DRUG AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY, 22( 1).
293-310 (1999)
CALCULATION OF HUMAN HEALTH RISK-BASED

SCREENING LEVELS (RBSLS) FOR PETROLEUM
Drug and Chemical Toxicology Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by Universitat de Girona on 11/21/14
Donna J. Vorhees
Cheri L. Butler
Menzie-Cura & Associates, Inc.

1 Courthouse Lane, Suite 2
Chelmsford, MA 0 1824
Telephone: 978-453-4300
Facsimile: 978-453-7260
For personal use only.
ABSTRACT
Hazardous waste site managers and regulators can decide easily whether site
contamination requires remediation to protect human health, but defining the extent oj‘
cleanup is often an enormous challenge. When is the site clean enough for human access
and use? Risk assessment tools can be used to help answer this question. One can
calculate chemical-specific risk-based screening levels (RBSLs) in environmental media
(e.g. soil, water, and food) that correspond to “acceptable” levels of risk. RBSLs can be
calculated for individual chemicals and chemical mixtures, specific to various exposure
pathways. In calculating RBSLs, one must account for the fact that people may be
exposed to more than one chemical by more than one exposure pathway. Fate and
transport models may be needed to predict how people might become exposed to site
contamination in the future. Example RBSLs for non-cancer effects are calculated to
illustrate the utility and limitations of RBSLs for making risk-bused decisions ut
petroleum release sites.
293
Copyright C? 1999 hy Marcel Dekker. Inc.

294 VORHEES AND BUTLER
INTRODUCTION
Risk-based screening levels (RBSLs) represent maximum chemical concentrations in soil,
sediment, water, air or food that correspond to acceptable levels of human health risk.
These values are often calculated within a risk-based decision framework, such as the
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard Guide for Risk-Based
Corrective Action Applied at Petroleum Release Sites (RBCA).' RBCA consists of a

three tiered approach that proceeds from simple to complex analyses, using more site-
specific information at each tier. With its tiered structure, the RBCA framework is
designed to match the urgency and extent of corrective action with the potential risk to
human health.
In Tier 1 of the RBCA framework, the investigator develops non-site-specific RBSLs

based on information about contamination type and potential exposure pathways at the
site collected in the preliminary assessment. Tier 1 RBSLs are conservative, employing
exposure pathway characteristics and modeling assumptions that result in RBSLs that are
lower than those that would be calculated if site-specific limitations on exposure or
contaminant transport were taken into account. The investigator compares maximum
contaminant concentrations at the site to the RBSLs. If the site concentrations exceed the
RBSLs, the investigator can choose from two options: (1) remediate site contamination to
meet the RBSLs;or (2) proceed to Tier 2 with collection of site-specific information and
calculation of site-specific target levels (SSTLs).
In Tier 2, the investigator calculates SSTLs by conducting simple fate and transport
modeling using site-specific information to predict the attenuation of contaminants away
from the source area. If maximum site contamination levels exceed the SSTLs, remedial
action may be implemented or analysis proceeds to Tier 3. Tier 3 is a thorough, site-
specific risk assessment. As each tier is completed, remedial action goals become more
site-specific and presumably, less conservative and less costly to achieve than those
defined by the previous tier. The reduction in conservatism and cost is due to
consideration of site-specific information, not a reduction in goals for human health
protection.
RBSLS FOR PETROLEUM 295
Information Needed to Calculate RBSLs

Calculation of RBSLs requires little time and expense, and guides decisions about the
need for evacuation, cleanup, and monitoring at spill sites. They can be calculated for
individual petroleum compounds, petroleum products, TPH, and petroleum carbon range
fractions.
Quantitative Goalsfor Human Health Protection

RBSLs for non-carcinogenic compounds and petroleum fractions are based on the
following equation:
Non-Cancer Hazard Quotient = average intake [mgkg-dayy reference dose [mg/kg-day]
A hazard quotient is the ratio of the dose to which a person is exposed to the dose above
which effects may occur. A target hazard quotient of one is generally used for non-
carcinogens2 .
For carcinogenic compounds in petroleum mixtures (e.g., benzene and benzo[a]pyrene),

RBSLs for each exposure pathway are based on the general equation:
Cancer Risk = average lifetime intake [mgkg-day] " slope factor (mgkg-day]'
The average lifetime intake refers to the dose that a person takes into the body over a
lifetime under certain exposure conditions. The cancer slope factor is used to predict the
potential number of excess cancers that will be induced in response to an average dose
taken in the body over a lifetime. RBSLs typically correspond to a target cancer risk level
of one in 10,000 to one in 1,000,000~.
People can be exposed to multiple chemicals by multiple pathways at a site; however,

RBSLs represent a protective concentration for exposure to a single chemical, TPH
fraction, or TPH by one pathway. To account for exposure by multiple pathways to
multiple chemicals, the site investigator can adjust the target cancer risk and hazard
quotient to ensure an acceptable total site risk.
Identification of Complete Human Exposure Pathways

RBSLs are calculated for all complete exposure pathways. A complete exposure pathway
has a source of contamination, a transport pathway by which the contaminant travels from
the source to a person, and a person who may be exposed to the contaminant3. There are
numerous potential exposure pathways, including inhalation of contaminated indoor air
and outdoor air, dermal contact with and ingestion of contaminated soil and groundwater,
and many other pathways.
Conservative assumptions about human exposure conditions, models for contaminant

transport, and toxicity information are used together to calculate RBSLs for each
complete exposure pathway. Exposure assumptions define exposed individuals and how
they contact contaminated environmental media. Contaminant transport models are used
to evaluate media that might become contaminated in the future. For example, soluble
soil contaminants can migrate to groundwater and enter drinking water supplies. Toxicity
information includes Reference Doses (RfDs), Reference Concentrations (RfCs), and
cancer slope factors. RfDs and RfCs are estimates (with uncertainty spanning perhaps an
order of magnitude) of a continuous dose and inhalation exposure, respectively, to the

human population (including sensitive subgroups) that are likely to be without an
appreciable risk of deleterious noncancer effects during a lifetime4. Cancer slope factors
are widely used measures of carcinogenic potency. RfDs, RfCs, and cancer slope factors
for individual carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic compounds can be found online in the
US EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), Health Effects Assessment
Summary Tables (HEAST), and peer-reviewed sources. RfDs and RfCs have been
developed for petroleum carbon range fractions by the Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon
Criteria Working Group (TPHCWG)’ and by the Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection (MA DEP)6.
Chemical Saturation Concentration (C.Tu,)

The saturation concentration (CSat)is the theoretical contaminant concentration at which
absorptive limits of soil particles, solubility limits of soil pore water, and saturation of
soil pore air have been reached’. Above this concentration, free phase or non-aqueous
phase liquids (NAPL) may be present. Models used to calculate Tier 1 RBSLs for the
volatilization and leaching pathways assume that no NAPL is present; therefore, these
RBSLs are applicable only when soil concentrations are lower than C,,,.
RBSLs can be calculated in excess of C,,, for individual compounds or for fractions.
Therefore, C,,, values must be compared to RBSLs for all individual compounds and
fractions, and the lower value selected as the screening level. At CSat,the flux of
contaminants from soil to air and water reaches a plateau, no matter how much more
chemical is added to the soil. Therefore, exposure via these cross-media pathways cannot
increase beyond CSat. Exposure routes with soil RBSLs in excess of C,,, are not of
concern for human health.
Example RBSL Calculations

To illustrate RBSL calculations, we assume a hypothetical site with the following general
characteristics:
.
. Residential, upland area
Soil and groundwater contaminated with petroleum
.
Residence downgradient of the site with a private drinking water well
In this section, example pathway-specific RBSLs for non-carcinogenic effects are

calculated for an individual petroleum compound 13 TPH fractions identified by the
TPHCWG, and TPH. TPH RBSLs are based on the relative contribution of the 13
fractions to various petroleum products.
RBSLs for Individual Compounds

Toluene is one constituent of petroleum products. RBSL calculations are illustrated for
three exposure pathways: incidental ingestion of surface soil, leaching to groundwater,
and volatilization to outdoor air.
Toluene RBSL for “Incidental Ingestion” Pathway
A toluene RBSL is calculated for the “incidental ingestion of surface soil” exposure
pathway as follows:
Solving for “C”,

HQ* AT * BW * R f o
(2) c =
EF * ED * IR *
$1
where: C = concentration of toluene in surface soil (mgkg)
HQ = hazard quotient = 1
EF = exposure frequency = 350 dayslyear
ED = exposure duration = 30 years
IR = ingestion rate (soil) = 100 mg/day

AT = averaging time = 30 years x 365 dayslyear
BW = Body weight = 70 kg (adult)

RfJ3 = oral reference dose = 0.2 mg/kg-day (toluene)
C = 1.5 x 10’ mgkg = RBSLoil
Toluene RBSL for “Leaching to Groundwater” Pathway
Toluene also may leach from site soils into groundwater. A toluene RBSL is calculated
for the “leaching to groundwater pathway as follows:
H Q * AT * BW * R f o
(2) c =
EF*ED*IR
where: C = concentration of toluene in groundwater (m@)
HQ = hazard quotient = I
IR = ingestion rate (soil) = 2 Uday

AT = averaging time = 30 years x 365 days/year
BW = bodyweight = 70 kg (adult)
RfD = oral reference dose = 0.2 mg/kg-day (toluene)
C = 7.3 mg/L = RBSL ,

r 1
(3) RBSL,, [ X I=
kg soil LFnV
Where:
RBSL, = risk-based screening level in soil (mg/kg)

LF,, = Leaching Factor (soil to groundwater) = 3.37 x lo-’ (toluene)
R B S L = risk-based screening level in groundwater (mg/L) = 7.3 mg/L
RBSL, = 2 17 m a g .
The Leaching Factor (LF,,) is the ratio of groundwater concentration to soil

concentration. This factor is used to characterize the potential for a chemical to migrate to
groundwater under a given set of soil properties. ASTM RBCA defines the leaching
factor as follows:
Where:
LF = leaching factor [(mg/L HzO)/(mg/kg soil)]
p, = soil bulk density (g soil/cm3 soil)
Ow, = volumetric water content in vadose zone soils (cm3 H20/cm3 soil)
O,, = volumetric air content in vadose zone soils (cm3 air/ cm3 soil)
k, = soil-water sorption coefficient (cm3 H 2 0 /g soil)

H = Henry’s Law Constant (cm3 H20/ crn3 air)
U,, = groundwater Darcy velocity (cmlyr)
6,, = groundwater mixing zone thickness (cm)
I = infiltration rate of water through soil (cndyr)

W = width of source area parallel to groundwater flow direction (cm)
This leaching factor equation results in conservative RBSLs because it assumes that no
dilution or attenuation of the leachate occurs as it migrates from the vadose zone to the
saturated zone.
Toluene RBSL for “Volatilization Of Soil Contaminants To Outdoor Air” Pathway
The toluene RBSL for this pathway is calculated as follows:

EF * ED * IR * C
HQ =
AT * BW * R p
H Q * AT * BW * R p
C=
EF * ED * IR
where: C = concentration of toluene in air (mg/m3)
HQ = hazard quotient = 1
IR = ingestion rate (soil) = 20 m3/day
AT = averaging time = 30 years x 365 dayslyear
BW = bodyweight = 70 kg (adult)
RtD = inhalation reference dose = 0.1 1 mg/kg-day (toluene)
C = 0.42 mg/m3= RBSL air

RBSLS FOR PETROLEUM 30 1
RBSL,, [XI=
kg soil VF,,
Where:
RBSL, = risk-based screening level in soil (mgkg)
VFsamb= Volatilization Factor (subsurface soil to air) = 2.5 x
RBSL,,, = risk-based screening level in air = 0.42 (mg/m')
RBSL, = 1.67 x lo3mgkg.
The VFsambis the ratio of ambient air concentration to soil concentration':

Where:
VF = volatilization factor [(mg/m3 air)/(mg/kg soil)]
U,,, = wind speed above ground surface in ambient mixing zone ( c d s )
= ambient air mixing zone height (cm)
L, = depth to subsurface soil sources (cm)
Dseff= effective diffusion coefficient between groundwater and soil surface (cm'/s)
W = width of source area parallel to wind direction (cm)
Comparison of Pathway RBSLs to C,
The saturation concentration for toluene is calculated as follows:
C,;'[ mg
kg - soil
]=? *
P,~
+8,,+k,vp,J* 10' L- g
cm' - kg
Where:
Csat = soil saturation limit (mgkg)
S = water solubility (mg/L)
ps= soil bulk density (g/cm3)

H = Henry’s Law Constant (cm3/cm3)
€=volumetric air content in

I
, vadose zone soils (cm3 air/cm3 soil)
k,= soil-water sorption coefficient (cm3HZO/g soil)
Ow, = volumetric water content in vadose zone soils (cm3HzO/cm3soil)
Csat for toluene in soil = 1.26 x lo3(mgkg)

Any of the pathway-specific RBSLs for toluene could exceed CSarfor toluene. Therefore,
these values must be compared to the CSarfor toluene before selecting the RBSL that
either represents a toluene cleanup goal or triggers Tier 2 analysis. The “leaching to
groundwater” pathway has the lowest RBSL of 217 mgkg, which is lower than Csat for
toluene. Therefore, at this hypothetical site, 217 mgkg should be selected as the
screening level for toluene.
RBSLs for Fractions
Petroleum release sites are difficult to evaluate and remediate because of the changing
composition and distribution of complex petroleum products following release to the
environment. Their composition changes over time and space due to individual
constituents partitioning differently among environmental media and due to
environmental degradation processes such as photolysis and microbial action. These
phenomena are collectively referred to as product “weathering.” For this reason, relying
on whole product (e.g, gasoline, #2 fuel oil, jet fuel) analytical data may be appropriate
for fresh spills, but not for older spills that have had time to weather. Recognizing this
dilemma, the MA DEP and the TPHCWG developed fraction-based approaches for
evaluating human health risk at petroleum release sites. The TPHCWG defined 13
fractions according to expected transport properties of individual compounds*, and

example fraction RBSLs and TPH RBSLs are for these fractions.
RBSLs for TPH fractions are calculated using the method described for individual
compounds, substituting fraction-specific transport parameter values’ and toxicity
criteria5. C,,, for each fraction must be calculated and compared to the fraction RBSLs.
RBSLs for each TPHCWG fraction are listed in Table I. In Table I, “Csal”refers to those
fractions where C,,, is lower than the RBSL. Leaching and volatilization pathways have
RBSLs lower than C,,, only for the most mobile (i.e. soluble or volatile) and toxic
fractions. Cleanup decisions could be based on the TPH fraction with the lowest RBSL.
In calculating RBSLs, one assumes that the toxicity of a given fraction does not change
with different petroleum product sources. For example, the toxicity of the C ~ to
O CIZ
aliphatic fraction measured at a gasoline spill site is the same as the toxicity of the Clo to
C12 fraction measured at a weathered #2 fuel oil spill site. Consequently, if exposure
assumptions and environmental transport model assumptions are held constant, the same
RBSLs will be calculated for each fraction, regardless of petroleum type.
RBSLs for TPH
A measured TPH concentration cannot be plugged into an RBSL equation to get a total
TPH RBSL because toxicity criteria do not exist for TPH. In addition, the toxicity of TPH
measured at one site is not necessarily the same as TPH measured at another site.
Therefore, TPH RBSLs can be calculated by weighting individual fractions by their
composition in the total petroleum mixture (f, = C, /CTPH)and assuming their toxic
effects are additive. TPH RBSLs should be calculated using petroleum fraction data that
are representative of TPH contamination at a site, taking into account all possible source
areas and differential degradation across the site.
Example TPH RBSLs in this section are calculated based on the 13 TPHCWG fractions.
Using petroleum fraction data, we can derive an RBSL for TPH that accounts for
additivity of toxic effects across fractions:
HI = C HQ, = C MIN [fi*CTpH/ RBSL, , Cisat/RBSL] S I
Table I. Pathway-specific RBSLs for TPH Fractions

Equivalent Leaching To Volatilization to
Carbon Number C,,, Groundwater Outdoor Air Surface Soil
Range (mdkg) (mgW (mgk) (mgki9
Aliphatics
5-6 470 220,000
>6-8 260 220,000

>8- 10 140 4,300
>10-12 86 4,300
>12-16 38 4,300
>16-21 16 87,000
Aromatics
6-7 1,600 100
>7-8 1,300 9,000
>8- 10 1,000 2,000
>10-12 630 2,000
>12-16 290 2,000
>16-21 100 2,000
Source: J. Gustafson, 1996 (modified)
Note: “Csal(’- substituted for pathway RBSLs that exceed Csalfor a given fraction.
For direct routes of exposure such as soil ingestion, dermal exposure and inhalation of
particulates, the degree of saturation does not limit exposure. However, as the degree of
saturation increases, particulate generation decreases. TPH RBSLs for the ingestion of
soil, dermal contact with soil, and soil particulate inhalation pathways are calculated as
follows:
HI = C HQi = C fi*CTPH/ RBSL,
The values for CTPHcalculated using the equations above are the pathway-specific RBSLs
for TPH.
When compounds are present in a mixture, equilibrium is achieved for each component
between the aqueous and organic phases. By assuming the organic phase is an ideal
solution, one can express the solubility of the component as its mole fraction multiplied
by its pure component solubility (Raoult’s Law)’. This calculated solubility is sometimes
referred to as “effective solubility,” and its use results in calculation of lower C,,, values.
Table II lists example TPH RBSLs for four common petroleum products. These RBSLs
were calculated based on fraction composition data for fresh product, rather than
petroleum that has weathered in the environment. All of the TPH RBSLs reported in
Table II were calculated by assuming non-detected fractions were present in the mixture
at one half the detection limit. Table III lists TPH RBSLs for an example petroleum
mixture calculated by varying this assumption. The differences are due largely to the
detection limit for the benzene fraction, which was not detected in the mixture.
Interpretation and Use of RBSLs

RBSLs for the indicator compounds and fractions often can be used individually as a
basis for managing a contaminated site, in which case, site remediation will be governed
by the most restrictive or lowest soil RBSL. Alternatively, a TPH RBSL, which accounts
for the composition of the total petroleum mixture present at a site, can be used manage a
contaminated site. Before using RBSLs in making decisions about a site, the site
investigator should be certain that they were calculated in a clear and consistent manner,
relying on sound procedures for sample collection, analysis, and storage.
Table 11. Pathway-specific TPH RBSLs (mg/kg) for Common
Petroleum Products
Soil Soil Soil vapor Leaching to
Ingestion Dermal intrusion into groundwater

indoor air
JP-4 50000 3000 200 1000
JP-8 50000 3000 50 800

Diesel 70000 4000 500 8000
CrudeOil 80000 5000 30 200
Petroleum product composition data sources: References 11-15.
Cancer risk estimates at some sites will drive the extent of remedial activities. At these
sites, calculation of RBSLs for noncarcinogenic effects may not be worthwhile when it is
clear that such analysis would not lead one to recommend more stringent remediation
goals than those resulting from the analysis of cancer risk. In some cases, RBSLs may not
be protective of ecological or aesthetic impacts. The potential for site contamination to
impact the ecosystem or aesthetics must be evaluated separately.
Applicability of RBSL Modeling Assumptions to Site Conditions
Many models used to estimate petroleum contaminant leaching to groundwater and

volatilization to air, including those used to calculate the example RBSLS, assume that
Table 111. Influence of Detection Limits on TPH RBSLs (mg/kg) for a
weathered petroleum mixture collected along a pipeline right-of-way.
Assumption for
Non-detected Vapor intrusion Leaching to

Fractions to indoor space Groundwater
NDs = 0 170 2,500
NDs - !4 DL 100 990

NDs = DL 70 630
Legend: ND = Non-detect
DL = Detection Limit
there is no degradation of product, no additional dilution occurs in groundwater, uniform

soil conditions and equilibrium partitioning among media, and no NAPL. If free product
is present, these models are not applicable and should not be used. RBSLs do not reflect
the potential for cosolvency and other effects that can occur with large concentrations of
petroleum.
Does the Target Hazard Quotient Ensure the Desired Level of Human Health
Protection ?
To ensure that RBSLs attain the desired level of human health protection, one must
consider the number of potential exposure pathways and chemicals to which people might
1.E+06
1.E+05 I----
Weathered Diesel
n
I-
w
E I.E+03
1.E+01
1.E+OO
surface soil surface soil vapor Leaching to

ingestion dermal intrusion into groundwater
indoor space
Figure 1. Comparison of TPH RBSLs for fresh and weathered product. Error bars for
weathered product indicate the range of RBSLs calculated for 4 soil samples. Product
composition data were taken from Reference 13.
be exposed in setting target hazard indices and target cancer risk levels. At a site where
more than one pathway exists, RBSLs can be calculated from combined pathways or the
lowest pathway RBSL can be chosen as the screening value. For example, TPH RBSLs
calculated by combining all complete soil pathways ensures that the desired level of
protection is attained.
Impact of Product Weathering on TPH RBSLs
lU3SLs for weathered petroleum might differ from RBSLs for fresh product due to
changes in petroleum mixtures following release to the environment. With time, the more
mobile components of the mixture migrate away from the site, leaving a less mobile
mixture behind. Concentrations decrease due to these transport mechanisms as well as
biodegradation. There is some evidence that organic compounds bound to soil become
less available for uptake with humans the longer they remain in the soil“’. The toxicity of
the mixture could increase or decrease, depending on whether the pattern of
contamination shifts toward more or less toxic TPH fractions.
Figure I shows RBSLs for fresh and weathered samples and diesel. Some weathered
product RBSLs are higher and some are lower than fresh product RBSLs. However, this
plot includes few data (n=5); therefore, no strong conclusions can be made for these two
products.
CONCLUSIONS
Calculation of RBSLs provides a fast and simple way to estimate “acceptable” levels of
risk for human health exposure at a petroleum release site. Many variables influence the
calculation and interpretation of RBSLs, including the number of chemicals or fractions

present, detection limits, saturation limits, the number of exposure pathways, transport
properties of mixtures, and product weathering. Future research may provide analytical
data for fractions that represent the range of products and environmental conditions
encountered at petroleum release sites. With such data, it may be possible to develop TPH
RBSLs that can be applied at many sites rather than calculating new TPH RBSLs for each
site.
REFERENCES
1. American Society for Testing and Materials. Standard Guide for Risk-Based
Corrective Action Applied at Petroleum Release Sites. E 1739-95, 1995.
2. United Stated Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Risk Assessment
Guidance for Superfund: Volume I - Human Health Evaluation Manual, Part B:
Development of Risk-based Preliminary Remediation Goals, Interim Final. (EPA540-
1-89-002). 1991.
3. United Stated Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Soil Screening
Guidance: Users Guide (EPA 540-R-96-018), April 1996)
4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Integrated Risk Information
Database.
5. Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Criteria Working Group (TPHCWG), Development of
Fraction-Specific Reference Doses ( R m s )and Reference Concentrations (RfCs)for
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH), 1997.
3 10 VORHEES AND BUTLER
6. Hutcheson, M.S., Pedersen, D., Anastas, N.D., Fitzgerald, J., Silverman, D.

Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 24:85- 10I , 1996.
7. United Stated Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Estimating Potential for
Occurrence of DNAPL at Superfund Sites. (Publication: 9355.4-07FS), 1992.
8. Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Criteria Working Group (TPHCWG), Selection of
Representative Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH)Fractions Based on Fate and
Transport Considerations, 1997.
9. Shiu, W.Y., Maijanen, A., Ng, A.L.Y., MacKay, D. Preparation of Aqueous Solutions
of Sparingly Soluble Organic Substances: II. Multicomponent Systems - Hydrocarbon
Mixtures and Petroleum Products. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Vol.
7~125-137,1988.
10. Alexander, M. 1995. Environmental Science & Technology, 29:27 13-2717.
11. Friedman & Bwya, Inc., Results From The Analysis of Soil Samples For Aliphatic
Volatiles By GC/FID, Weathered JP-4 Characterization, 1995.
12. Mayfield, H. T., JP-8 Composition and Variability, Armstrong Laboratory,
Environics Directorate, Environmental Research Division, 1996.
13. Nakles,D.V., Lynch, J.W.,Edwards, D.,Tell, J.G., Potter,T.L., Andes, R.P., and
Barkan, C.P.L., Risk-Based Management of Diesel-Contaminated Soil, Prepared for:
Association of American Railroads, Washington, D.C., Prepared by: Remediation
Technologies, Inc., Monroeville, PA, R0897, October 1996.

14. Gustafson, J.B. Risk-Based Screening Levels (RBSL)for Michigan Crude Oils, 1996.
15. Remediation Technologies. Inc. Field Demonstration Report: Defense Fuel Support
Point, Mukilteo, Washington. Draft Report. Prepared for the Total Petroleum
Hydrocarbon Criteria Working Group, 1997.

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DRUG AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY, 22( 1).

CALCULATION OF HUMAN HEALTH RISK-BASED

Menzie-Cura & Associates, Inc.

Copyright C? 1999 hy Marcel Dekker. Inc.

Corrective Action Applied at Petroleum Release Sites (RBCA).' RBCA consists of a

In Tier 1 of the RBCA framework, the investigator develops non-site-specific RBSLs

Information Needed to Calculate RBSLs

Quantitative Goalsfor Human Health Protection

For carcinogenic compounds in petroleum mixtures (e.g., benzene and benzo[a]pyrene),

People can be exposed to multiple chemicals by multiple pathways at a site; however,

Identification of Complete Human Exposure Pathways

Conservative assumptions about human exposure conditions, models for contaminant

order of magnitude) of a continuous dose and inhalation exposure, respectively, to the

Chemical Saturation Concentration (C.Tu,)

Example RBSL Calculations

Residence downgradient of the site with a private drinking water well

In this section, example pathway-specific RBSLs for non-carcinogenic effects are

RBSLs for Individual Compounds

Toluene RBSL for “Incidental Ingestion” Pathway

Solving for “C”,

EF = exposure frequency = 350 dayslyear

ED = exposure duration = 30 years

IR = ingestion rate (soil) = 100 mg/day

BW = Body weight = 70 kg (adult)

RfJ3 = oral reference dose = 0.2 mg/kg-day (toluene)

C = 1.5 x 10’ mgkg = RBSLoil

Toluene RBSL for “Leaching to Groundwater” Pathway

Solving for “C”,

where: C = concentration of toluene in groundwater (m@)

EF = exposure frequency = 350 dayslyear

ED = exposure duration = 30 years

IR = ingestion rate (soil) = 2 Uday

AT = averaging time = 30 years x 365 days/year

RfD = oral reference dose = 0.2 mg/kg-day (toluene)

C = 7.3 mg/L = RBSL ,

RBSL, = risk-based screening level in soil (mg/kg)

LF,, = Leaching Factor (soil to groundwater) = 3.37 x lo-’ (toluene)

R B S L = risk-based screening level in groundwater (mg/L) = 7.3 mg/L

The Leaching Factor (LF,,) is the ratio of groundwater concentration to soil

LF = leaching factor [(mg/L HzO)/(mg/kg soil)]

p, = soil bulk density (g soil/cm3 soil)

k, = soil-water sorption coefficient (cm3 H 2 0 /g soil)

H = Henry’s Law Constant (cm3 H20/ crn3 air)

U,, = groundwater Darcy velocity (cmlyr)

6,, = groundwater mixing zone thickness (cm)

I = infiltration rate of water through soil (cndyr)

W = width of source area parallel to groundwater flow direction (cm)

Toluene RBSL for “Volatilization Of Soil Contaminants To Outdoor Air” Pathway

The toluene RBSL for this pathway is calculated as follows:

Solving for “C”,

where: C = concentration of toluene in air (mg/m3)

EF = exposure frequency = 350 dayslyear

ED = exposure duration = 30 years

IR = ingestion rate (soil) = 20 m3/day

AT = averaging time = 30 years x 365 dayslyear

RtD = inhalation reference dose = 0.1 1 mg/kg-day (toluene)

C = 0.42 mg/m3= RBSL air

RBSL, = risk-based screening level in soil (mgkg)

VFsamb= Volatilization Factor (subsurface soil to air) = 2.5 x

RBSL,,, = risk-based screening level in air = 0.42 (mg/m')

RBSL, = 1.67 x lo3mgkg.

The VFsambis the ratio of ambient air concentration to soil concentration':

VF = volatilization factor [(mg/m3 air)/(mg/kg soil)]