Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
When a smart combination of model applications is validated, however, it at least
ensures a level of confidence in the whole model. But since it is a subjective deci-
sion as to what kind and how many validated model applications are needed to cover
the whole range of possible model applications, and the criterion for 'validated' for
separate validations is quite vague, the term 'validated model' is better off being
avoided.
A similar process that investigates the performance of models and procedures is
verification. Verification focuses on the testing whether a predefined hypothesis is
true.
1.6 Risk Management
1.6.1 Scope
Sometimes, a broad definition of Risk Management is followed, that is, Risk
Management is the whole risk-based procedure for contaminated site management.
According to this broad definition, Risk Assessment is considered as an important
component of Risk Management. In this topic, however, a more narrow definition
of Risk Management is used (see Fig. 1.3 ) that focuses on the development of the
strategies for dealing with the risks, only. From this perspective, the term Risk
Management is more directly related to the dictionary definition of management,
which includes active words such as 'handling' and 'controlling', generally with the
purpose of bringing contaminated sites back into beneficial use.
Risk Management is appropriate when the conclusion from a Risk Assessment
is that a particular risk is unacceptable. It includes avoiding the risks, mitigating or
removing risks and, last but not least, communication about the risks with the parties
involved. The keyword in Risk Management is risk reduction . There are many ways
to achieve risk reduction. Basically, Risk Management relates to removal or con-
trolling of the source, that is, source control treatment , or to blocking the pathway
from source to receptor. The challenge is to find the optimum balance between the
most effective and most cost-efficient way of doing this by weighing the short-term
advantages against the costs of aftercare.
Remediation (aka: restoration, or clean up), that is in its most strict definition
elimination of the source and the resultant soil contamination, is the most direct way
of risk reduction. However, remediation often is too drastic an activity, whose results
are not in alliance with the social and technical impact at the site and the costs.
Alternatively, source control or the application of barriers, that is, a process which
eliminates or blocks the source, might be sufficient. In some cases, compliance with
policies requires more stringent measures than are absolutely necessary from a risk
perspective.
Communicating with all stakeholders is necessary to find the optimal end
goal of Risk Management and to define the procedure for how to achieve this.
Often, an intensive negotiating process is needed in which decision-makers play
an important role.
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