Section 40.0992 - General Approach to Method 3Method 3 relies upon detailed information about the site, the oil and/or hazardous material, and potential exposures to Human and Environmental Receptors under all current and reasonably foreseeable Site Activities and Uses to characterize the risk of harm. The scope and level of effort of the Method 3 Risk Characterization shall reflect the site-specific nature of this Method, and the information used to characterize the risk shall be sufficiently documented to demonstrate that the Response Action Performance Standard, described in 310 CMR 40.0191, has been met.
(1) The Method 3 Risk Characterization shall be performed in a manner consistent with scientifically acceptable risk assessment practices, and consider guidance published by the Department and EPA.(2) In performing a Method 3 Risk Characterization, the objective shall be to provide a conservative estimate of the impact that the oil and/or hazardous material may have on the Human and Environmental Receptors at the disposal site and in the surrounding environment.(3) This Risk Characterization process makes use of existing standards, Method 3 Ceiling Limits in Groundwater and Soil, quantitative estimates of cancer and non-cancer health risks, and both quantitative and qualitative evaluations of risk to public welfare and the environment to determine the need for a remedial action or to demonstrate that a condition of No Significant Risk exists or has been achieved.(a) The Method 3 characterization of the risk of harm to human health is described in 310 CMR 40.0993.(b) The Method 3 characterization of the risk of harm to public welfare is described in 310 CMR 40.0994.(c) The Method 3 characterization of the risk of harm to the environment is described in 310 CMR 40.0995.(d) The list of Method 3 Ceiling Limits in Groundwater and Soil is in 310 CMR 40.0996(7).(4) The risk of harm to safety shall also be characterized, as described in 310 CMR 40.0960.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1407, eff. 12/27/2019.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1503, eff. 3/1/2024.Amended by Mass Register Issue S1516, eff. 3/1/2024.