Soil Guideline Values

Soil Guideline Values (SGVs) are a set of standards used to assess the risk posed by contaminants in soil to human health. They are used in the United Kingdom and other countries to guide decisions on land contamination.

Overview

SGVs are derived from the Contaminated Land Exposure Assessment (CLEA) model. This model calculates the risks to human health from long-term exposure to contaminants in soil. The values are based on the assumption that an individual is exposed to the contaminant in soil over a lifetime. The SGVs represent the concentration of a contaminant in soil that, if exceeded, indicates a potential risk to human health.

Development

The development of SGVs involves several steps. First, the hazardous properties of a contaminant are identified. This includes its toxicity and the ways in which it can enter the human body. Next, the exposure scenarios are defined. These scenarios describe the ways in which people can come into contact with the contaminant. Finally, the SGVs are calculated using the CLEA model.

Use

SGVs are used in the assessment of contaminated land. They provide a benchmark against which the concentrations of contaminants in soil can be compared. If the concentration of a contaminant in soil exceeds its SGV, further investigation is required to determine whether there is a significant possibility of significant harm (SPOSH).

Limitations

While SGVs are a useful tool in the assessment of contaminated land, they have some limitations. They are based on a number of assumptions and simplifications, and they do not take into account the combined effects of exposure to multiple contaminants. Furthermore, they do not consider the effects of contaminants on ecosystems or on buildings and infrastructure.

See also

• Contaminated land
• Environmental risk assessment
• Hazardous substances