Federal Contaminated Sites Risk Assessment
Providing science-based risk assessment solutions for federal contaminated sites across Canada
Federal risk assessments are completed to evaluate potential risks to human health and the environment posed by contaminants on sites under federal custody or responsibility (e.g., sites managed by federal departments, agencies, and Crown corporations). These assessments follow established scientific frameworks, guidance documents, and environmental quality guidelines developed by Canadian federal authorities, including the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP), Health Canada, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (formerly Environment Canada).
Under the federal framework, contaminated site risk assessments are conducted as either Preliminary Quantitative Risk Assessments (PQRAs) or Detailed Quantitative Risk Assessments (DQRAs). PQRAs are streamlined, screening-level quantitative assessments that combine conservative assumptions, simplified exposure models and site use characterization data to determine whether contaminants in environmental media pose potential unacceptable health risks to humans and the environment. DQRAs consider refined exposure scenarios and detailed modelling methods to provide a more comprehensive and site-specific assessment of potential health risks.
When is a federal risk assessment required?
A Federal risk assessment is typically conducted when an environmental site assessment identifies contaminant concentrations that are above the federal and provincial environmental quality guidelines for applicable environmental media (e.g., soil, groundwater, sediment and surface water) and remediation to the generic guidelines is not financially or practically feasible. It may also be required when:
- A contaminated site is being evaluated within the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) program.
- Risk-based decision making is required to support site management, remediation planning, or long-term monitoring.
- Site closure requires a defensible assessment of potential health risks.
How Intrinsik can help
Intrinsik has extensive experience conducting PQRAs and DQRAs for federally owned properties across Canada. These assessments have focused on evaluating potential health risks associated with exposure to environmental and brownfield contaminants, liquid effluents (i.e., pulp and paper mill), airborne emissions (i.e., incinerators, smelters), and runoff from agricultural and urban sites. Our team’s extensive experience and strong understanding of the federal regulatory framework allow us to develop defensible, efficient, and sustainable strategies to manage federally contaminated sites while minimizing risks and environmental liability.
Intrinsik’s federal risk assessment services
Intrinsik’s multidisciplinary team of risk assessors, environmental scientists and toxicologists provides end-to-end support for federal risk assessments, including:
- Preparation of PQRAs and DQRAs
- Data gap analysis and risk assessment work plan development
- Contaminant fate modelling
- Human health and ecological risk assessment modelling and evaluation
- Development of risk-based cleanup levels/risk-based target levels
- Development of conceptual site models and exposure pathway analysis
- Integration of risk assessment results with risk management
- Preparation of technical risk assessment reports consistent with federal guidance
- Technical support during risk assessment regulatory review
- Stakeholder and regulator engagement support, including risk communication