Contaminants

The "contaminants of concern" were determined to be the dioxins and furans. By reducing the risk from these contaminants it was determined that the risk from the other contaminants would also be reduced to an acceptable level so as not to pose a risk to humans or the environment.

Most of the contaminants are in the sediments adjacent to the Allied Feeds and Lednez sites as well as in the reclaimed areas on these two dry land sites. By concentrating the remediation in this area the risks both human and environmental will be reduced to an acceptable level.

Commitment to Baseline Dust Testing

At this stage it is intended to take dust samples from the immediate vicinity of the work site, including some houses. This will give a baseline to determine if dust in a measurable quantity has escaped the site. These samples will also indicate any pre-existing contaminants that are not attributable to the clean up work.

Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI)

The EPA has informally advised that the accepted tolerable daily intake (TDI) of dioxins and dioxin like compounds is 1 to 4 picograms per kilogram body weight.

Since a TDI of 4 pg/kg approaches the background level of exposure in the developed world, it is not an easy, or cheap goal to achieve. Subject to the outcome of the detailed bay investigation, and refinement of the human health risk assessment, the project team believes that the remediation project can be completed at this level of clean up within budget.