Atlantic RBCA Conference 2004

A pilot study to investigate the metal content of urban soils in St. John’s, Newfoundland, was carried out in the summer and fall of 2003. The study was prompted by results of a geochemical analysis of sediments in urban lakes in St. John’s that indicated historically high levels of lead and other toxic metals. Although lead levels in the sediments had declined over the last several decades, primarily due to the removal of lead from gasoline, the possibility that urban soils had accumulated a reservoir of toxic metals remained untested.

Examination of the spatial distribution of soil lead clearly indicates a concentration of sites with higher that guidelines occurs around the urban core of St. John’s . These higher values tend to be found on suburban properties close to older roads and houses. Although lead-based paint and coal-ash residue likely were major sources in residential settings, leaded gasoline contributed to high values next to major roads.

Considering the implications of lead for human health, especially young children, our proposed next steps are: (i) to carry out a systematic survey of urban soils in St. John’s; (ii) to conduct anonymous blood-lead testing of children in the city; and (iii) to measure some risk factors to lead exposure in residential settings (e.g. housing age, house dust lead, consumption of home-grown vegetables, domestic activities).

Biography

Dr. Trevor Bell is an Associate Professor of Geography at Memorial University of Newfoundland. He is a graduate of Memorial University (MSc, 1984) and the University of Alberta (PhD, 1992) and spent one year as postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Climate and Global Change Research at McGill University. He joined the faculty of Memorial University in 1994. His research interests include the study of landscapes, both ancient and modern, and the response of prehistoric peoples to changing environment and climate. He has spent over 20 summers conducting fieldwork in northern and eastern Canada and Ireland. His collaboration with Dr. David Liverman on the geochemical mapping of St. John’s represents a new dimension to his broad research interests in environmental earth science.

Down to the bottom line, the making or breaking of a business deal is a matter of simple economics. In the tricky business of property transactions dealing with contaminated or possibly contaminated lands, the total potential costs of environmental assessments, cleanups, and liability protection, relative to the market value for sale redevelopment becomes the key factor in determining whether a potential property transaction is viable.

Contaminated properties where the prevailing economics prevent any potential deals can become under-utilized or abandoned, commonly referred to as Brownfields. Various tools have been, and continue to be, developed by the public and private sectors to overcome obstacles to the sale and redevelopment of such sites. One such tool is Risk-Based Corrective Action (RBCA), currently implemented in the Atlantic provinces, which presents a systematic process for identifying and managing risks. RBCA offers tremendous costs savings over "traditional" approaches to corrective action, which in turn serve to encourage potential property transactions and future development to the benefit of the community.

Richard L. Bowers, P.E. is an environmental engineer with over ten years of experience including hydrogeologic site investigations, contaminant fate and transport modeling, risk assessments, detailed engineering design, and academic research. In addition to engineering projects, Mr. Bowers is the developer of GSI's world-renowned RBCA Tool Kit for Chemical Releases software and associated customizations including the RBCA Tool Kit for Atlantic Canada, v. 2. He has conducted risk management and software training extensively both in the U.S. and internationally. Mr. Bowers is a registered professional engineer in the State of Texas. He received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Rice University and an M.S. in Civil/Environmental Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

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Ken was born in the small outport Community of Francois on the South Coast of Newfoundland. He received his early education in Port Aux Basques where he graduated from high school in 1965.

Ken holds a degree in Civil Engineering from Nova Scotia Technical College (Halifax) and a Bachelor of Science and a Master in Business Administration from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

He began his career with the Newfoundland government in 1974 as a water systems engineer with the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs. In 1976, he transferred to the Department of Environment where he has held a number of positions. In May of 1998, he was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of Environment, a position he currently holds.

Lead is a metallic element that occurs naturally in all soils as a result of regional geology and the natural process of bedrock weathering. Lead does not break down and is not rapidly absorbed by plants so it remains in the soil after it has been deposited. Background lead levels in and around St. John’s are approximately 25 parts per million (ppm). However, recent work has shown that soil lead levels are much higher than this in parts of St. John’s, particularly in the older downtown area. This is not uncommon and is expected for older cities that have been subjected to years of anthropogenic inputs from coal burning, lead-based paint (banned in 1978) and leaded gasoline (banned in 1990).

Airborne lead has been measured in Canada in various urban areas since the early 1970s through the National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) monitoring network. Currently, the network consists of 253 monitoring stations in 156 communities. Atmospheric lead levels have declined from about 0.70 ug/m3 in the early 1970s to 0.01 ug/m3 today as a result of bans on lead based products. Clearly, the reduction initiatives that have been implemented have resulted in significant decreases in the amount of lead entering the environment today.

In 1991, Interim Canadian Environmental Quality Criteria for contaminated sites were established by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) for defined land uses by adopting existing criteria for soil and water uses by various jurisdictions in Canada. These have been revised in 1996 and have been derived specifically for protection of the ecological receptors in the environment or for the protection of human health associated with the identified land use. For lead, the CCME Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines are 70 ppm (Agricultural), 140 ppm (Residential/Parkland), 260 ppm (Commercial) and 600 ppm (Industrial). These guidelines are very conservative and in some cases exceeded by natural background levels. For Residential/Parkland uses they use the most sensitive receptors (small children up to four years of age) and the most extreme exposure (24 hrs/day, 365 days/yr) to determine a value which will have a ‘No Observable Effects Level’ over a lifetime of exposure.

Peter is a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) with Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) and Master of Science (Earth Science) degrees. He has been employed with the Provincial Government since 1984. He has spent 13 years with the Geochemical Laboratory of the Department of Mines and Energy and the last seven years with the Department of Environment and Conservation. Currently he is Manager of Environmental Science and Monitoring with the Pollution Prevention Division. Duties include management of the National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) monitoring network in Newfoundland and Labrador as well as the provincial representative on various national and international committees. Committees include the New England Governors/Eastern Canadian Premiers Mercury Task Force, Canada-wide Standard Development Committee for Mercury, Atlantic Regional Air Issues Team (ARAIT), Canada’s Air Quality Index Management Committee, and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

The value of property is invariably negatively impacted where it is found to be contaminated with an environmentally hazardous substance or lie in proximity to an affected site. In most cases, remediation of the property can be made either entirely, or at least to an acceptable standard, with little ongoing risk. It is reasonable to expect that once such remediation has been completed the value of the property will recover to full market value. In some cases, however, market value is not achieved after remediation and the property becomes ‘stigmatized’. This presentation provides an overview of the typical causes of property contamination, how these impact values, and investigates the factors that can cause stigma.

Neil is President of the Altus Group - St. John’s office where he is one of four partners, part of a national group of real estate consultants. He received an honours degree in Estate Management from the University of Reading in England, and obtained professional membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors whilst working for a multi-disciplinary real estate company in Liverpool, England. Immigrating to Nova Scotia in 1980, he obtained professional designation in the Appraisal Institute of Canada and has been based in Newfoundland & Labrador since 1982. He has served twice as President of the Newfoundland Association of the Appraisal Institute of Canada (1988 and 1999) and has served on several National AIC committees. His broad experience in real estate appraisal covers major investment real estate as well as industrial complexes, transshipment terminals, shipyards and large land mass appraisals. He provides expert testimony before tribunals and courts, has written best practice valuation guidelines for special use Federal Government properties, and has been involved in environmental issues affecting many types of real estate.

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Colin is a professional engineer for Public Works and Government Services Canada and recently was honoured with a 25-year service award. During his career with the federal government, Colin has managed various marine, environmental and civil engineering projects throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. He is currently Senior Project Manager for the Argentia Environmental Remediation Project in Newfoundland, a role he has continued since 1993/94 when the project was in it's infancy.

The 10-Year, $106 M project, one of the largest environmental remediation projects in Canada, involves the remediation of a former U.S. Naval and Air Force Base in a semi remote area of the province. The unique approach to Health and Safety issues, integrated service delivery, sustainable development, scope of remediation, and the social, political and economic impact have presented significant challenges on this project. The Argentia project has been recognized nationally and internationally as a showpiece for environmental stewardship and practical approach to remediation. The Argentia Team has provided technical assistance to countries such as Sweden and Latvia, and is currently providing advisory services on the Sydney, NS Tar Ponds project.

Contaminated sites and their reuse and redevelopment for future purposes have always been a challenge to municipal and land use planners. These sites tend to be located in older built up areas of a community or municipality usually with an established development pattern. On some sites, the contamination of the property has been known for some time and may have resulted in an abandonment of the use of the property. On other sites, the contamination has been recently discovered as a result of an environmental event or new construction in or around the site. All these situations have planning and land use implications for the future growth and wellbeing of our communities. As research continues and new technologies developed for the remediation of contaminated sites, new opportunities present themselves for the reuse and redevelopment of these properties.

The presentation will provide an overview of municipal legislation and permit process relating to the reuse and redevelopment of contaminated sites in municipalities. The presentation will also outline planning issues that relate to the long term planning of areas in which such sites are located and more immediate issues as contaminated sites are proposed for reuse of redevelopment.

Stephen B. Jewczyk, MCIP has held the position of City Planner with the City of Mount Pearl since 1989. Stephen is a graduate of Ryerson Polytechnical University (B.A.A. in Urban and Regional Planning, 1976), and worked in the development and consulting industries for one year in southern Ontario. In 1977, Stephen moved to St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador where he was employed as Town Planner with the St. John’s Metropolitan Area Board. In 1989, he took up the position as City Planner with the City of Mount Pearl, a position he currently maintains.

Stephen is a former president of the Canadian Institute of Planners, the national professional institute and certification body for the planning profession in Canada. Regionally he has served as a past president of both the Newfoundland and Labrador Branch and the Atlantic Planners Institute, a regional affiliate of the Canadian Institute of Planners. He is currently serving a third term as President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Branch of the Atlantic Planners Institute.

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Bernie Miller has practiced environmental law with McInnes Cooper since 1989. A large portion of his practice involves advising clients on legal issues related to contaminated sites and contaminated site remediation. He represents a major oil company throughout Atlantic Canada and also represents a number of pulp and paper companies, manufacturers, property developers and lenders in addressing a range of environmental law issues.

Bernie has lectured at the Technical University of Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University on environmental law matters and has published several papers on environmental law issues. He works out of the Moncton office of McInnes Cooper, a law firm with offices throughout Atlantic Canada.

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Toby is a Graduate of Memorial University of Nfld (Bachelor of Science,1973). He has been employed with the Dept of Environment and Conservation since 1973.

He managed regional operations and staff involved with licensing, inspection and enforcement as well as coordinated the provincial environmental emergencies response program,1975-1995. In this period, he has also provided new initiative and programs and participated on a many national, regional and provincial committees involved in establishing pollution prevention standards, guidelines and protocols for hazardous material and municipal solid waste, contingency planning, contaminated site management.

Since 1995, Toby has managed operations in Pollution Prevention Division and has been active in the reseach, development and implementation of waste and contaminated sites management initiatives for the department. As one of the founding members of Atlantic PIRI, he has been instrumental in the development of the current Management of Impacted Sites Management Document.

With over 31 years of public service, his resource knowledge, experience and leadership are valued assets to Nfld & Labrador's environmental industry, to the public and to the Province.

Ecological risk assessment studies on being conducted more frequently on contaminated sites across Canada. These studies, as with any risk assessment study, can be essential scientific tools to use when making decisions related to the need for, the degree of, and the type of risk management required at a given site.

This talk will provide a brief overview of the ecological risk assessment process, some key factors which can influence the utility of these studies as decision-making tools for risk management, and what we expect to see in the coming months and years with respect ecological risk assessment issues and tools used to conduct these studies.

Christine Moore is a Senior Scientist with Cantox Environmental Inc., a national scientific consulting firm specializing in the provision of toxicology and risk assessment services. Ms. Moore is a toxicologist with over 16 years of experience in environmental and human toxicology and risk assessment. She is an adjunct professor at the School for Resources and Environmental Studies at Dalhousie University, and sits on a number of committees, including the Environment Committee of the Mining Association of Canada, the Proposal Evaluation Committee for environment effects research related to offshore oil exploration, and she was a member of the Technical Advisory Group to the CCME with respect to development of ecologically-based Canada Wide Standards for petroleum hydrocarbons. She has extensive experience in ecological risk assessment, and has conducted advanced level ecological assessments on petroleum hydrocarbon, PCB and metals contaminated sites and large spills in eastern and central Canada for a wide array of industrial and government clients.

A pilot soil sampling study was completed in St. John’s in 2003 that indicated that elevated soil lead levels existed in the older downtown areas. Soil lead levels ranged from 17 to 7,048 ppm with a median value of 203 ppm. 60% of samples exceeded the CCME soil quality guideline (140 ppm) for residential properties. These results are consistent with other Canadian urban centres where sampling has been completed.

To assess the potential health risk based on these results, it should first be recognized that the CCME guideline is a screening guideline only. Soil lead levels greater than the CCME guideline do not necessarily require remediation. Environmental exposure to lead comes from numerous sources, including supermarket food, drinking water, lead paint, and household dust. Soil lead may not be the most important source and soil remediation may not produce desired risk reduction benefits if average soil lead levels are not initially high (>1,000 ppm) and other sources are present (e.g., lead paint). Lead paint abatement and cleaning of interior household dust may be more beneficial.

Control of soil lead exposure on residential properties is best achieved by intervention and education strategies that limit exposure and promote healthy living. Landscaping techniques can be used to minimize contact with contaminated soil and prevent dust generation (e.g., maintenance of a healthy lawn). Community education initiatives can provide residents with information needed to manage their own risks (e.g., healthy diet, hand washing, regular house cleaning).

David has worked as an environmental consultant for the last ten years, primarily in the area of contaminated site management. He has been with Jacques Whitford for over eight years and has held various positions in the company including national director for risk assessment services and environmental engineering manager for New Brunswick. David currently serves as Jacques Whitford's representative on the Atlantic PIRI Committee and leads Jacques Whitford's human health risk assessment practice in New Brunswick.