Terraphase conducted a preliminary human health risk assessment for a National Park site. The assessment was performed to address concerns about potential human exposures to site-related contamination from former cattle ranch operations. The evaluation focused on volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), pesticides, and metals in the soil.

Scope of Services

Using conservative exposure assumptions and fate and transport models, Terraphase assessed potential health risks from exposure of park visitors, employees, and visiting scholars to site-related contamination in the soil. The project consisted of conducting soil sampling and performing a risk evaluation at key areas of a former cattle ranch, applying conservative exposure assumptions and fate and transport modeling, to estimate cumulative cancer risk and noncancer hazards. The risk assessment demonstrated that chemicals in soil would not pose an unacceptable risk to human health, and that the park could be opened to visitors, park employees and visiting scholars.

Notable Accomplishments

• Completed a comprehensive risk assessment in less than 20 days
• Confirmed that risks to receptors would not exceed risk management thresholds, demonstrating that it was safe to reopen the park
• Enabled the park to confidently restore public access