Given estimates or measurements of
fundamental parameters, it is a relatively simple task to automate estimation of risk for
given conditions. It is not a simple matter, however, to understand the impact of
uncertainty within the estimation, but that is the essential point when estimating real
world risk.
Risk evaluations can take many levels,
simple to more advanced. Ultimately though, there is really only one risk
context per receptor condition with some uncertainty attached. AVI has automated
many screening calculations that can quickly evaluate the probable risk standing of a
site, and more importantly, identify the key factors associated with that risk. AVI
routinely incorporates risk mitigating factors at sites to "dial" in to the real
world. Similarly, once the most sensitive risk factors are identified, real site
measurements can be prescribed to substantiate risk estimates. In fact, because the
underlying physics and chemistry apply to virtually all sites, it is possible to identify
the critical data without first doing any calculations.
And let's face it, with all the
assumptions and unknowns in the calculations, it's more accurate and defensible to just
collect the direct data affecting receptors and determine the risk accordingly. Contaminant
transport calculations can then be used in the "back-end" to ensure that time
and spatial considerations are properly stipulated so that the data are put into a
realistic physical context. This data-based risk methodology defends against litigation or
other related liabilities far better than are extensive calculations and modeling.
Data-based risk assessment is also less expensive than many fate and transport based
evaluations. Perhaps most important, data-based risk assessment provides the most
realistic risk appraisal available allowing economic decisions to be made with much better
accuracy.
Key Benefits
- Elimination of non-beneficial remediation
- Identification of key risk drivers
- More direct, defensible, and less costly
than common risk assessments
- Communication tool between interested
parties and regulatory agencies
- Protection against frivolous litigation
