Health Screening Levels

crcCARE has developed health-based screening levels (HSLs) for petroleum hydrocarbons to address an identified need for consistent human health risk assessment of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in Australian conditions. Several associated technical reports and models are freely available (see below). The HSLs – concentrations of a contaminant above which further investigation and evaluation is required – represent the best collective view of the available science and application of Australian approaches on selection of health criteria and exposure parameters. The HSL documents and models underwent several international peer reviews by experts in the United States, Canada and Australia. Given the innovative nature of the work, crcCARE will monitor national and international developments, and publish updates as necessary.

The HSLs and the underlying methodology may be used for health risk assessment purposes in the context of the wider site assessment framework for petroleum hydrocarbon contamination provided in the Assessment of Site Contamination National Environmental Protection Measure (NEPM) as varied. The HSLs were derived through the consideration of health effects only, with particular emphasis on the vapour exposure pathway. Other considerations such as ecological risk, aesthetics, the presence of free phase product and explosive or fire risk are not addressed by the HSLs and will need to be assessed separately.

Available downloads:

Technical reports and errata

crcCARE Technical Report 10: Health screening levels for petroleum hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater. Part 1: Technical development document

crcCARE Technical Report 10: Health screening levels for petroleum hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater. Part 2: Application document

crcCARE Technical Report 10: Health screening levels for petroleum hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater. Part 3: Sensitivity assessment

crcCARE Technical Report 10: Health screening levels for petroleum hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater. Part 4: Extension model

crcCARE Technical Report 10: Health screening levels for petroleum hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater. Summary

crcCARE Technical Report 10: Errata August 2012

Associated downloads

    crcCARE Health Screening Levels: Soil source model (vapour intrusion)

    crcCARE Health Screening Levels: Soil source model (direct contact)

    crcCARE Health Screening Levels: Soil-gas source model

    crcCARE Health Screening Levels: Groundwater source model

      crcCARE Health Screening Levels Checklist