A systematic review of risk assessment tools for contaminated sites – Current perspectives and future prospects

• Published in: Environmental research 2020-12, Vol.191, p.110180, Article 110180
• Main Authors: Mahammedi, C., Mahdjoubi, L., Booth, C.A., Akram, H., Butt, T.E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Contaminated sites; Decision making; Environmental Pollutants - toxicity; Forecasting; Hazardous Waste; Hazardous Waste Sites; Health hazards; Risk Assessment; Risk assessment tools
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110180

Health and safety hazards associated with the redevelopment of contaminated sites can be complex and pose considerable risks. A systematic literature review was conducted on risk assessment tools for contaminated sites. These tools have been identified from searching through leading academic databases and other professional sources. For each of the identified tools the relevant risk assessment stages, harm type, hazard category, receptor type and pathways are reported. Findings reveal that despite growing interest in the development of risk assessment tools, there are persistent knowledge gaps identified in this study, which serve as a basis for future research direction to where more advanced practical tools could be invented. For instance, it is evidenced there is a shortfall in practical tools available to contaminated site assessors conducting investigations at the preliminary risk assessment stage. Addressing this opening can benefit the planning process, coordinated between relevant stakeholders and, moreover, reduce uncertainty in the decision-making of contaminated site developers. •Risk analysis tools of contaminated sites are too detailed, complex, time consuming, intensive effort and costly for preliminary assessment.•No systematic review of risk assessment tools has been found which holistically classifies them in terms of risk assessment stages; and types of harms, hazards, pathways and receptors.•This study generates and presents such as systematic review (indicated above).•This paper establishes the escalating need of a preliminary risk assessment tools which is appropriately detailed, neither more nor less.