Risk Assessment & Groundwater Modeling

Risk assessment is a qualitative and quantitative process of determining the probability for adverse health effects in people who may be exposed to chemical hazards. It is also a means to develop site-specific chemical clean-up standards that are protective of human health and the environment (e.g. 5 ppb benzene for drinking water or 2,900 ppb benzene for exposure to vapors partitioning to indoor air). When coupled with state-of-the-art groundwater modeling tools such as MODFLOW and Monte Carlo analysis, site decision making becomes clearer than ever.

Groundwater Modeling

In conjunction with site-specific risk assessments, BJAAM professionals perform groundwater fate and transport modeling to reduce remediation costs at potentially contaminated properties. Groundwater contaminate modeling is performed to promote sound decision making at environmentally challenged properties. Our modelers work diligently to design precisely planned field and laboratory programs to collect crucial modeling data. BJAAM has brought together a multi-disciplinary staff with expertise in the following disciplines:

• Hydrogeology
• Geochemistry
• Physics
• Computer Science
• Statistics
• Environmental Regulation, and
• Toxicology

BJAAM uses a variety of one, two and three-dimensional models that simulate groundwater flow to evaluate hydrologic impact, groundwater/surface water interaction, aquifer test analysis, and remedial alternative design. Our staff uses a variety of well-verified and validated codes, coupled with state-of-the-art processors, to produce a host of cost-effective remedial solutions to solve complex groundwater contaminate issues. BJAAM provides expertise in chemical natural attenuation, contaminant transport, predicted contaminant loading, plume migration, geochemical fingerprinting, and leaching studies. In addition to groundwater fate and transport modeling, BJAAM has extensive experience in indoor air modeling, soil contaminate leaching modeling, as well as data validation and project management.

BJAAM Environmental, Inc. is at the forefront in the implementation of risk based closure / corrective actions for a variety of projects. BJAAM specializes in the development of site-specific standards or clean-up goals and has provided regulator education and assisted numerous government agencies in the development of risk-based programs, both within the State of Ohio and other locations world-wide, including the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the governments of Argentina, Brazil, and Puerto Rico.

As always, BJAAM evaluated each project on a case by case basis. Risk assessment is recommended for selected sites where health and safety risk analysis provides a more feasible and cost effective approach to remediation than the traditional subsurface treatment options. Due to the continually evolving environmental technology, the regulatory agencies and their related program disciplines have recognized risk assessment as a viable alternative to physical site remediation. In fact, many regulatory programs now require the completion of a site-specific risk assessment prior to the implementation of any remedial alternative.

Risk Assessment involves four steps:

• Data Collection and Evaluation – involves gathering and analyzing the site data relevant to the human health evaluation and identifying the substances present at the site that are the focus of the risk assessment process.
  
  
• Exposure Assessments – estimate the magnitude of actual and/or potential human exposures, the frequency and duration of these exposures, and the pathways by which humans are potentially exposed.
  
  
• Toxicity Assessments – consider the types of adverse health effects associated with chemical exposures and the relationship between magnitude of exposure and adverse effects.
  
  
• Risk Characterization – final step that summarizes and combines outputs of the exposure and toxicity assessments.
  
  

Regulatory Agency Recognition

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, has recognized BJAAM’s experience and expertise in completing site-specific risk assessment and groundwater modeling programs. BJAAM actively participates in the Ohio VAP Multi-Disciplinary Board Work Group for Generic Numeric Standards and Property Specific Risk Assessment. As demonstrated through our cooperation with the Ohio EPA VAP program and as further summarized in OEPA’s letter of appreciation for our involvement in the VAP Work Group, BJAAM has the expertise to evaluate whether a full risk analysis would be a beneficial and cost-effective remedial alternative for your site. BJAAM has been at the forefront in completing site-specific risk assessments in the State of Ohio and continues to successfully use site-specific risk based closures to save our clients valuable time and money.

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