Novel insight into deriving remediation goals of arsenic contaminated sites with multi-media-equivalent dose and local exposure parameters

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2025-01, Vol.482, p.136501, Article 136501
• Main Authors: Yang, Danhua, Jia, Xiaoyang, Xia, Tianxiang, Zhang, Nan, Su, Shiming, Tao, Zhenghua, Wu, Zhiyuan, Liang, Jing, Zhang, Lina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Glassworks site; Health risk; Local exposure parameters; Multi-media-equivalent dose; Remediation goal
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.136501

The remediation goal (RG) for arsenic (As) calculated by the traditional method is approximately 0.45 mg·kg-1, significantly lower than the background values. This poses significant challenges for the management of As-contaminated sites. The present study focused on a typical glassworks site with an As contamination level of up to 298 mg·kg-1, predominantly existing as As (III), with a carcinogenic risk level as high as 8.6 × 10-5. We developed a novel method known as multi-media-equivalent dose (MMED), incorporating local exposure parameters, and investigated the impacts of site-specific bioaccessibility (from 6.9 % to 51.5 %) on the results. The RG of arsenic calculated via MMED was 34.4 mg·kg-1 and 54 mg·kg-1 when bioaccessibility was considered. Integrating with five exposure parameters across 31 provinces, the provincial remediation goals (PRGs) ranged from 15.1 to 31.7 mg·kg-1. The RG calculated using the new method were more aligned with the practical conditions of managing As-contaminated sites, with potential for broader implementation across various provinces. [Display omitted] •A new method to derive remediation goals called multi-media-equivalent dose is proposed.•The impact of site-specific bioaccessibility of As on new methods was investigated.•Considering with local exposure parameters, the application of this new method in 31 provinces of China ranged from 15.1 to 31.7 mg·kg-1.