Atkins launches soil values online

ATRISKsoil SSVs have been derived for a number of contaminants for which Soil Guideline Values (SGVs) derived using the Contaminated Land Exposure Assessment (CLEA) model are not available.

These include benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX), 14 individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phenol, free cyanide, 13 total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) fractions, and a range of chlorinated solvents.

The SSVs have been derived in a manner consistent with UK guidance, particularly CLR9 and CLR10, and are supported by full, transparent documentation detailing all the assumptions and sources of information.

They are continually updated as more information becomes available.
The SSVs were originally intended for internal use within Atkins. They are now being made publicly available following considerable demand.

“ATRISKsoil should be a useful tool for prioritising sites that require further assessment from those that do not,” says Mathew Worboys, Project Manager. “They should also remove the need for a costly and time-consuming Detailed Quantitative Risk Assessments (DQRAs) in many cases.”

The database is aimed at both for developers and regulatory authorities. A year’s subscription to the service is available to local authorities and key brown-field stakeholders for an introductory price of £195 until the end of March, and £250 after that date.