Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment
Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment (HHERA) is a systematic, science-based process used to evaluate the potential risks that environmental contaminants may pose to human health and the environment. HHERA’s integrate data on contaminant concentrations, environmental fate and transport processes, exposure pathways, and toxicological effects to estimate the likelihood and severity of adverse impacts. The outcomes of HHERAs are used to support informed decision-making for site management, remediation, redevelopment and regulatory compliance.
Innovative risk assessment services
Intrinsik is one of the leading HHERA firms in North America with significant expertise in applying the risk assessment paradigm to a large variety of sites and projects to evaluate the potential for human health and ecological risks. Intrinsik scientists have completed diverse HHERAs in Canada, the United States and internationally. These assessments evaluated risk from contaminated sites, airborne emissions (operational and accidental), leachate, runoff, land application of sludges, liquid effluents or discharge (wastewater and tailings), new product formulations, and pesticides.
Intrinsik’s Human and Ecological Risk Assessment Experience
Intrinsik has completed HHERAs for many sectors, including brownfields/contaminated sites, infrastructure, mining and smelting, oil and gas, transportation, utilities and waste management.
Our past projects have included evaluation of legacy issues (such as historical contamination), accidental releases, product application in natural environments, current operational releases, and proposed future releases associated with new projects or expansions of operations. Our past projects range from simple screening-level evaluations of small, contaminated sites, to leading large, complex, wide-area HHERA studies, covering hundreds of square kilometres, including:
- Quantitative HHRA in support of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) of oil sands mines and steam-assisted gravity projects, metal mining, coal extraction, renewable energy and natural resources projects (sand, gravel, aggregate, and water dams/reservoirs for hydroelectricity and water supply)
- Comprehensive ERAs, including weight of evidence (WOE)-based assessments for wide area ERAs
- Quantitative risk assessments and site-specific remediation derivation at complex contaminated sites and in the vicinity of active or legacy industrial areas
- Reviews of environmental field data to support risk assessment and remediation plans
- Assessments of routine and accidental emissions from sweet and sour gas operations on human and livestock health
- Heavy oil pipelines, terminal and spill emissions
- Accidental releases of produced water, natural gas and crude oil
- Assessment of treated oil sands mine water (OSMW)
- Evaluations of private and municipal drinking water safety
- Municipal wastewater quality and landfill assessments
- Studies of food quality and safety
- Indoor air quality assessments
- Risk-based standards development (site-specific or generic) for substances in air, water, and soil
How Intrinsik Can Help
Being a company that specializes in providing expert advice in the areas of human health and ecological risk assessment and toxicology, we have the ability to draw upon highly-qualified team members, including Professional Biologists (P.Biol and R.P. Biol), Qualified Persons (QPRA and QP designations for Ontario and Saskatchewan) and Board-certified toxicologists (DABTs).
Our team has experience with working within multiple risk assessment frameworks, including those outlined by Health Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) and multiple Canadian provinces and territories.
In addition to our expertise in risk assessment, Intrinsik scientists are very knowledgeable in the areas of risk communication and public engagement. Our senior scientists have considerable experience in litigation, appearing as expert witnesses in court proceedings and regulatory hearings.
For more information on our related services please check out:
Contaminated Sites Risk Assessment in Canada
Contaminated Sites Risk Assessment in the United States
Environmental Risk Assessment for Pharmaceuticals
Risk Communication and Public Engagement