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Dear Damon,
 
We have used source signatures occasionally when undertaking risk assessments with regard to whether a source is coal based (natural coal fragments) compared to an anthropomorphic source - petroleum/processed organic matter.  Being in the Northwest we tend to be affected by the Lancs/N Wales coalfields.
 
Although the source signatures are a tool for assessing the potential source of the PAH compounds, it is often useful to have the chromatograms analysed (by a professional chemist with plenty of experience who knows what he's looking for - we use Jim Jones!!!).  This usually means that the PAH results should when required be backed up by TPH analysis.
 
Where the BaP result is very marginal - sometimes boulder clay contains coal fragments - it may be suitable to complete a qualitative assessment on top of the forensic tool to come to an appropriate judgement on the results obtained.
 
It should be noted that on occasion, even though natural coal has been determined as the source of the PAH, this material still is condemned (for certain landuses) as potentially contaminated/requiring further work as the concentration present is beyond reasonable values which may be further risk assessed.
 
I think it is important to attempt to understand the reasoning behind sources of contamination, especially on fill strata which appears to have laid dormant for many decades. 

 

With regards to is coal bad for you, that is another question which has gone on for a while!!!  My father in law is a coalman in Mid Wales and covered in coal dust from September - April (gas for remainder of season - been a coalman for 30yrs and no sign of cancer), pregnant women eat coal allegedly (not caught the wife doing that yet, but there are still a few weeks left!), and people have lived on coal fields ad infinitum.  Think there's a few PhD's in this subject!!!

 

Reduced cover thicknesses are addressed in the BRE document Cover Systems for Land Regeneration (which has a calc sheet for assessing cover thicknesses based on intermixing with lower concentration cover soils).

  

Regards
Nik

 

Mr N Reynolds

BSc(Hons), MSc, CGeol, FGS, MIEnvSc, EurGeol

Senior Environmental Geologist

 

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From: Contaminated Land Management Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Damon Pearson
Sent: 06 May 2010 14:09
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Benzo(a)Pyrene in Topsoil

Hi All,

I would appreciate any opinions you have on the use of the double ratio plot developed by Jones Forensics Laboratories’ to assess the origin of BaP and how this relates to risk to human health. I'm unfamiliar with this approach so not entirely sure on its suitability or if this is widely used.  

Situation
    - Planning Context
    - 4 Dwellings erected and retrospective planning application submitted
    - Brownfield Site
    - Unorthodox approach to risk assessment, however;

Chemical analysis has shown BaP in the topsoil of gardens to be around 3.4mg/kg.

The consultant has used the double plot ratio to determine the nature of BaP and concludes that its natural (most likely to be coal fragments) and will not be mobile or available in such fragments and the fact that any coal would have to be below 0.25mm to adhere to all exposed skin for dermal adsorption to be a relevant pathway.

Many thanks,

Damon


Damon Pearson
Environmental Protection Officer
Barrow Borough Council
Tel: 01229 876382
Fax: 01229 876411
Email: [log in to unmask]