National foreword

This British Standard is the UK implementation of ISO 15800:2019.

The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee EH/4, Soil quality.

A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its secretary.

This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

This British Standard was published under the authority of the Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 30 September 2019.

Foreword

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The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).

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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 190, Soil quality, Subcommittee SC 7, Impact assessment.

This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 15800:2003), which has been technically revised. The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:

the feedback on contaminated soil management for 15 years has been taken into account;
the analysis results have been updated.

Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

Introduction

Characterizations of soils and sites relating to human exposure are performed all over the world. They are often planned and conducted by consultancies and expert organizations. Information from these characterizations is used to assess human exposure. Furthermore, these characterizations are used for decision-making by companies, individuals and local and national authorities as well as a basis for recommendations and regulations issued by national and international authorities.

The assessment of potential human health effects from exposure can be used for:

the classification of contaminated sites;
recommendations regarding the remediation of sites, soils and soil materials, e.g. priority of remediation;
decisions regarding the future/planned use of contaminated sites;
decisions regarding the disposal/treatment/re-use of contaminated or remediated soil and/or soil material.

The information needed for evaluations of human exposure is, to some extent, dependent on the way in which the exposure is assessed, e.g. calculations can be based on different scenarios, each requiring different information.

The extent of investigations necessary for the assessment of human exposure varies depending on the level of contamination and the investigated area. In some cases, the assessment of potential human health exposure can be based solely on information on the substances present in the soil and their concentrations and the relevant soil parameters. In other cases, it is necessary to know the “availability” of the substance (i.e. the proportion biologically active). This information will depend on the type and concentration of the substance, the relevant soil parameters and the type of exposure relevant for the area investigated, represented in the conceptual site model (CSM). Furthermore, the sampling method and strategies can depend on the use of the project area and the possible exposure patterns.

1 Scope

This document provides guidance on the type and extent of soil characterization necessary for the evaluation of human exposure to substances present in possibly leading to adverse effects.

It does not provide guidance on:

the design or selection of numerical models that can be used to estimate exposure;
potential exposure to radioactivity, pathogens or asbestos in soil.

Background information is provided on human health related to exposure to soil and the influence on exposure via different pathways.

NOTE 1 For convenience “soil” in this document also includes “soil material” unless stated otherwise.

NOTE 2 Overall exposure can be due to potentially harmful substances (PHSs) in soil, groundwater and air. Exposure to those in soil can be direct (e.g. through inhalation, ingestion, cutaneous contact), or indirect (through the consumption of plants or animals that have taken up substances of concern).

NOTE 3 The evaluation of the possible impact on human health of potentially harmful substances is most commonly required when these are present as a result of human activity (e.g. on old industrial sites) but can sometimes be required when they are present naturally.

NOTE 4 Soil characterization precedes the assessment of the compatibility between soil and its use (i.e. soil quality assessment). Tools such as a conceptual site model (CSM) and health risk assessment can be used to aid this assessment.

NOTE 5 Soil characterization can be used to develop an overview of population exposure to soil. Other International Standards are available that can aid the characterization of other media (e.g. surface and groundwater), in terms of their possible adverse effects on humans.

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

4 Use of this document

5 Background

5.1 Characterization of soil and sites with respect to human exposure

5.2 Potential human receptors

5.3 Exposure pathways

5.4 Exposure to asbestos in soil

6 Sampling for site characterization

6.1 Site characterization

6.2 Soil ingestion

6.3 Vapour and dust inhalation

6.4 Cutaneous contact

6.5 Intake of substances via plants

6.6 Intake of substances via the consumption of animal products

6.7 Synthesis for site sampling in relation with human exposure

7 Characterization of soil as a matrix hosting physical, chemical and biological processes

7.1 Relevant soil processes and parameters

7.2 Measurement/analysis of soil characteristics

8 Analytical strategy

8.1 Characterization of contamination

8.2 Characterization of contamination in relation to exposures

9 Management of results

10 Data handling, evaluation and quality

Bibliography

BS ISO 15800:2019

Soil quality. Characterization of soil with respect to human exposure

Current, Under Review

Published:

30 Sep 2019