| Title: |
Decision-makers perspectives on the use of bioaccessibility for risk-based regulation of contaminated land
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| Resource Type: |
document --> technical publication --> journal article
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| Country: |
European Union
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| Year: |
2010 |
| Availability: |
Environment International, Volume 36, Issue 4, May 2010, Pages 383-389, doi:10.1016/j.envint.2010.02.007
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| Author 1/Producer: |
Agnieszka E Latawiec
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| Other Authors/Producers: |
Peter Simmons, Brian J Reid
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| Author / Producer Type: |
University research group / research institute
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EUGRIS Keyword(s): |
Contaminated land-->Risk assessment-->Risk assessment overview
Contaminated land-->Site investigation-->Site investigation overview
Contaminated land-->Wider impacts / sustainability-->Sustainable / green remediation
Soil-->Soil Overview
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| Long description: |
Information on contaminant bioaccessibility has been recognized by researchers, legislators and regulators as a decision-support tool for contaminated land assessment and has been subject to discussion at both national and international levels. This manuscript presents results from an investigation into the views of local authorities in England and Wales regarding the practical application of bioaccessibility and constraints associated with its implementation. A majority of survey respondents (70%) perceived bioaccessibility to be a useful tool that facilitates contaminated land management. However, the study suggests that unless a greater commitment is made with respect to developing a standardised approach to the use of bioaccessibility and securing it within a framework from an authoritative source, local regulators in England and Wales will continue to be cautious or ambivalent about its use, and its potential contribution to contaminated land management may not be realised.
This research brings the voice of front-line regulators for contaminated land into the on-going discussion between policy-makers and scientists on the uses of bioaccessibility. It goes beyond the identification of local authorities’ opinions on bioaccessibility and considers the influence of contextual factors, such as institutional or political pressures on Officers’ views and on their decision-making. Recognition of the ‘real-world’ priorities that inform local decision-makers’ perspectives can help to better understand the day-to-day concerns associated with contaminated land decision-making and their consequences for technical choices in the assessment process.
The results of this research also have relevance beyond the UK context in that the findings draw attention to the way that understanding regulator practices helps to identify differences in the perspectives of practitioners, policy-makers and academic researchers on the integration of emerging scientific research into risk-based decision-making. Drawing on the insights offered by the study, it concludes by proposing action priorities both for the research community and for policy-makers, which can be transferable to risk-based regimes elsewhere.
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Submitted By:
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Dr Agnieszka Latawiec WhoDoesWhat?
Last update: 07/07/2010
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