environment risk assessment

Environmental Risk Assessment

Authored By : Vinny Koshy Safety Environment Protection TechnicianNajran armed Force Hospital


In order to understand what is meant by Environmental risk assessment it is important to be familiar with the terminologies used in this presentation. The following Key Definitions are used :- Environmental Aspect: An element of a facility activity, product or service that can or does

interact with the environment Environmental impact :Any changes to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial,

resulting from a facility’s activity, product or service Hazard: A situation or biological, chemical or physical agent that may lead to harm or cause

adverse affects. Hazard= Exposure* EffectsThe multiplication sign in this case indicate that there should be no hazard if there is no exposure or if there is no adverse effects

Risk: The potential consequence(s) of a hazard combined with their likelihoods/probabilities

Risk management: The process of appraising options for responding to risk and deciding which to implement

Risk criteria: Risk criteria are terms of reference and are used to evaluate the significance or importance of an organization’s risks. They are used to determine whether a specified level of risk is acceptable or tolerable. Risk criteria should reflect your organization’s values, policies, and objectives, should be based on its external and internal context, should consider the views of stakeholders, and should be derived from standards, laws , policies, and other requirements.

Environment

Environment:-Environment is a complex of many variables, which surrounds man as well as the living organisms. Environment includes water, air and land and the interrelationships which exist among and between water, air and land and human beings and other living creatures such as plants, animals and micro organisms.Problem facing the 21st century One of the greatest problems that the world is facing today is that of environmental pollution, increasing with every passing year and causing grave and irreparable damage to the earth. Environmental pollution consists of five basic types of pollution, namely, air, water, soil, noise and light.

Environmental concerns in Saudi Arabia

According to Study conducted by khan et al 2015 on energy efficiency, the increased and in efficient is causing environmental pollution and is leaving the country to economic and social crisisPollution as the result of generation of waste A recent article on Solid waste management by Eco MENA( A Environmental

consulting company); Saudi generates more than 15 million tons of waste per year. Studies show that at present the average weight of domestic/home solid waste per individual in Saudi Arabia is estimated at 1.5- 1.8Kg/day which was 1.3 in 2013 . Organic waste represents the highest percentage of domestic municipal waste collected (40%), followed by paper and cartons (20%), plastic (15%), metal (7%), glass (5%), clothes (4%), and other waste (9%). (Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, 2012).

Environmental concerns in Saudi Arabia (con’t) According to a journal authored by Damna Al zahrani, published RMIT university,

Australia where she cites that there are more than 2000 medical centres in Saudi Arabia and the numbers rising on yearly basis, and approximately 50,000 tons of medical waste are generated on yearly basis

The average generation of waste per patient in Saudi Arabia is 1.3 kg per day. Most of Saudi Arabia land fill has reached its capacity and environmental contamination is considered widespread. The contribution of medical waste to Saudi Arabia land fill was considered a significant threat to public health and environment

Air pollution

The major air pollutants include ozone, particulate (PM 2.5, PM10), sulphur dioxide, nitrogen di oxide, carbon monoxide, heavy metal lead . By far most of the air pollutant comes from burning of fossil fuels, these pollutants can come directly from a smoke stack or tail pipe or they must be as a result of chemical reaction between emission and sunlight.

Ozone:-

Under the Montreal protocol (Kyoto protocol)ozone depleting substance (ODS) are split into two group class 1 ODS such as chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and class II ODS Hydrochlorofluoro carbons(HCFCS). CFC & HCFCS were once used as coolant in refrigerators, used in the manufacture of products such as contact lenses, telephone, artificial hip joints, foams for cars and computer circuit boards. Now they are phased out and now low potent compound is used

Why is ozone harmful?

ODS are very stable, non toxic and environmentally safe in the lower atmosphere. However, their stability allows them to float up intact with the stratosphere there they are broken apart up the intense ultraviolet light releasing chlorine and bromine which demolish the ozone. A single molecule of chlorine can break up to thousand molecule of ozone. R22 (Freon)- IUPAC name: Chloro(difluoro)methane- This compound is used in Najran Armed Force Hospital as a coolant in refrigerator and Air conditioners. R22 is used as alternative to the highly ozone CFC-11 and CFC-12,However R-22 is a powerful greenhouse gas with a global warming potential equal to 1810 , which indicates 1810 times as powerful as carbon dioxide. According to EU Regulation 2037/2000 on ozone depleting substances, R22 is banned In Europe.

Environmental concerns in Saudi Arabia (con’t)

Air Pollution According to the Municipal and Rural Affairs

Ministry, Saudi air pollution is on the increase(Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, 2012), Environmental pollution from green house gases (GHG) emission has increased by 50% over 30 years period 50% of the co2 emission in Saudi Arabia are accounted for by the power &electricity sector, followed by the transport sector and industrial/ construction sector

Environmental concerns in Saudi Arabia (con’t)

Two sizes of particulate matter are used to analyse air; fine particles with a diameter of less than 2.5μm or PM 2.5 coarse particles with a diameter of less than 10 μm or PM 10. PM2.5 particles are more concerning because their small size allows them to travel deeper into the cardiopulmonary system. The USEPA defines the ultimate hazardous range of PM10 as being from 425 to 604 10 μg/m 3 as anything above this range has an equally undesirable impact on health (ALHARBI et al., Curr. World Environ., Vol. 9(2), 227-236 (2014)).

According to a study conducted by (Alharbi et al 2014) On average almost 71 % of Riyadh air quality measurements indicated clean air while the ~ 29% of measurements indicated polluted air, mainly by PM10 (~74%) and SO2 (~ 24%)

Is there any Relation between Environmental pollution and inhabitant’s health impact?

Human beings daily receive around 15kg of air, 2.5 kg of water and 1.5 kg of food. According to world health organization, Globally every year 4.6 million

people die because of exposure to high level of air pollutantHealth risk as a result of exposure to contaminated Exposure to ODS may cause Cancer. Studies have shown that 5% of all

death from lung cancer may be related ambient air pollutant, there is a positive relation between PM2.5 concentration and increased cancer mortality (Li et al 2014)

Is there any Relation between Environmental pollution and inhabitant’s health impact? (Con’t)

To emphasize the link between environmental pollution and public health lets consider a case study conducted by united nation Environment program (UNEP) in Dandora municipal waste dumping site Kenya.

To understand the environmental pollution in the area, environmental samples(Soil, water)were analysed. And also a medical camp was set up where 328 children and adolescent living and schooling adjacent to the dumpsite was examined.

DANDORA WASTE DUMPING SITE

• Industrial Waste e.g., falloff or unused chemicals and raw materials, expired products and substandard goods

• Agricultural Waste e.g., pesticides (herbicides and fungicides)

• Hospital Waste e.g., packaging materials and containers, used syringes and sharps, biological waste and pharmaceuticals

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS• Heavy Metals e.g., lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, zinc, nickel and copper• Persistent Organic Pollutants e.g.aldrin, dieldrin, dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT), endrin, heptachlor, toxaphene, chlordane,hexachlorobenzene, mirex (organochlorines, organophosphates,carbamates) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

ROUTES OF EXPOSUREThese toxicants can be found in air, water andsoil and could find their way into the human body through:• Inhalation – movement of air from theexternal environment through the airways during breathing• Ingestion – the consumption of a substance by an organism either man or animals• Absorption – the movement and uptake of substances into cells or across tissues such as skin by way of diffusion or osmosis

PUBLIC HEALTH EFFECTS• Skin Disorders – Fungal infection, allergic dermatitis,pruritis and skin cancer• Respiratory Abnormalities – bacterial upper respiratorytract infections (pharyngitis, laryngitis and rhinitis), chronicbronchitis and asthma• Abdominal and Intestinal Problems – bacterial enteritis,helminthiasis, amoebiasis, liver cancer, kidney and renal failure• Dental Disorders – dental carries and dental pain• Ear Infections – otitis media and bacterial infections• Skeletal Muscular Systems – back pain• Central Nervous System – impairment of neurologicaldevelopment, peripheral nerve damage and headaches• Eye Infections – allergic conjunctivitis, bacterial eyeinfections• Blood Disorders – Iron deficiency anaemia• Others – malaria, chicken pox, septic wounds and congenital abnormalities, cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer

Dandora municipal waste dumping site, Kenya, UNEP

Is there any Relation between Environmental pollution and inhabitant’s health impact? (Con’t)

Environment Pollutant

Actual concentration Tolerable level

Mean Conc Adjacent to dump site

Mean Conc dump site

NetherlandStd

Mercury 18.6 46.7 2*Cadmium 40 1058 5*Lead 264 13500 150*Zn 462 2100 500*Cr 157 689 250*

Table, Mean elemental concentrations of soil samples from Dandora (ppm-parts per million, conc. - concentration), UNEP

Table, Impacts on Public Health and Systems Affected, UNEP

* Reference value for good soil quality

Environmental Sustainability

Sustainable Development:- is commonly defined as development that which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs.Environmental sustainability is defined as responsible interaction with the environment to avoid depletion or degradation of natural resources and allow for long-term environmental quality. The practice of environmental sustainability helps to ensure that the needs of today's population are met without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

What makes an issue a sustainability issue?

A sustainability issue arises whenever a valued system, object, process or attribute is under threat. The existence of the valued system, object, process or attribute could be threatened or its quality could be threatened with serious decline.Some of the issues that pose major environmental sustainability problems include: destruction of the living environments (habitats) of native species discharge of polluting chemicals and other materials into the environment emission of greenhouses gases into the atmosphere than can cause climate

change depletion of low cost oil and other fossil fuels

The Purpose of Environmental Risk Assessment In Najran Armed Force Hospital

The purpose of this Environmental Risk Assessment is to ensure that all environmental aspects( operations & Activities) carried out at Najran Armed Force Hospital are identified and that the significance of this environmental impact are assessed to permit improvement objectives and the implementation of necessary control measures.


Examples of the link between Aspect and Impact

Environmental Aspect Emissions of volatile Organic

compound(VOC) Discharges to stream Spills and leaks Electricity use Use of recycled paper

Environmental Impact Air pollution, smogDegradation of Aquatic habitat and drinking water supply Soil and groundwater contaminationAir pollution and global warming Conservation of natural resource


Legal Requirement

In Saudi Arabia


In Saudi Arabia a Royal decree (Feb,1981) entrusted the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) with the control of pollution and protection of the environment within the kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Environmental Laws in place for Saudi Arabia Environment Regulatory System

Environmental protection Law Environmental Consent to Construct (ECC) regulation Environment Permit to Operate (EPO)

Environment Law pertaining to Air and Environment Ambient air quality standard Source emission standard

General air quality regulation Point Source regulation Air emission testing Regulation (Point Source) Continuous Air emission monitoring regulation Combustion of Hazardous material- Point source Fugitive emission regulation Storage of volatile organic compound regulation Loading and un loading of organic compound regulation Air Emission inventory Regulation

Environment law pertaining to Water Environment Water quality discharge General water quality regulation Industrial waste water regulation Sea water cooling regulation Storm water run off regulation Sanitary waste water discharge regulation Ground water regulation

Potable water Water quality monitory requirement

Hazardous material Management Hazardous material classification Hazardous material inventory regulation Hazardous material transportation regulation Underground storage tank regulation

Waste Management waste classification Waste manifest regulation Waste transportation regulation Industrial & Hazardous waste treatment and disposal regulation Municipal waste collection Non-hazardous industrial waste & municipal waste disposal Inert waste disposal regulation Waste transporter registration regulation

Waste disposal facility closure/port closure care regulation Dredging Regulation Environmental law pertaining to Noise

Environment noise regulation Environment noise standard

The review shall identify environmental aspect by an assessment of the operation activities and services, together with consideration of the actual and potential effects of

Air emission to the atmosphere Water usage and discharge to surface water ground water and sewer Land contamination caused by spillage The production, reuse, recycling and disposal of controlled and special waste The storage and management of material Activities upon local ecology of operation, sites and premises. Raw materials Packaging

Risk Assessment

Definition:- Risk Assessment Risk assessment is the procedure in which the risks posed by inherent hazards involved in processes or situations are estimated either quantitatively or qualitatively. For instance in the life cycle of a chemical , risks can arise during manufacture, distribution, in use, or the disposal process. Risk assessment of the chemical involves the identification of the inherent hazards at every stage and an estimation of the risks posed by these hazards.Risk is estimated by incorporating a measure of the likelihood of the hazard actually causing harm and a measure of the severity of harm in terms of the consequences to people or the environmentRisk = Likelihood* Severity

Environmental Risk Assessment (Cont.)

Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) is the examination of risks resulting from technology that threaten ecosystems, animals and people. It includes human health risk assessments, ecological or Eco toxicological risk assessments. In simple words it’s a process of predicting whether there may be a risk of adverse effect on the environment caused by a hazard.


Figure representing two situation, one where management is provided technical information and another where the management is not provided with any information • From the above figure it is clear that Risk Assessment is a tool for informed decision making


The assessment itself typically involves three steps

(1) Risk Identification :- Risk identification simply means recognizing that a hazard exist and this process involves trying to define its characteristics. This step is also called as the problem formulation, can typically define the risk of what, to whom(or which part of the environment, where (location) and when (in time). This can also assist in selecting the levels and types of assessment methodology to be used in the environment risk assessment itself.

Adverse consequence cannot occur unless that environmental feature we wish to protect (For example a top grade salmon river or a heart land) suffer exposure to a hazard. Hence we need to set up a relationship between hazard, exposure and environmental features.

Source – Pathway – Receptor (S-P-R):-This is a conceptual model, that shows the relationship between source(S) of a hazard, the pathway(P)by which exposure might occur and the receptor (R) those feature of the environment that we value and that could be harmed (S-P-R).


Hazard Source Pathway Receptor SPR linkage

Benzene

Underground gasoline storage tank

Leaching Ground water supply

Yes

Ground water supply

Public water supply

Yes

Contaminated soil

Air People Domestic &

commercial property

Ecosystem Animal Plants Controlled

waters

Yes

Contaminated water

water Yes

Leaking Drums

Soil Yes

Industrial Process releases

Food chain Yes

Table :An example of identifying and representing the SPR linkage


In this conceptual model the pathway between a hazard source (for example a source of contamination) and a receptor (for example a particular ecosystem) is investigated. The pathway is the linkage by which the receptor could come into contact with the source (a number of pathways often need to be considered).

If no pathway exists then no risk exists. If a pathway exists linking the source to the receptor, then the consequences of this are determined.


Risk Identification or problem formulation step of risk assessment process will also take in to consideration Legislative requirement Risk criteria


2) Risk Estimation:- This is the scientific determination of the characteristics of risk, usually in as quantitative a way as possible. These include the magnitude , spatial scale , duration and intensity of adverse consequence and their associated probabilities, as well as description of the cause and effect link.

The main purpose of these two management function is to understand the environmental system and its complex pathway and the process through which the risk occur

.


(3) Risk Evaluation:- This is the third component of the risk assessment, in which judgement are made about the significance and acceptability of risk probabilities and consequence.

In this sense, the risk assessment addresses the so-called ‘risk triplet’; i.e. (a) what can go wrong; (b) what the consequences are; and (c) how likely the consequences are. The risk assessment must assess the environmental consequence posed by specific hazard, evaluate the consequence that may arise if the hazard is realised and then evaluate the likelihood of these consequence


Risk deemed unacceptable require management to lower them to a tolerable level of the residual risk usually ,decision- makers has access to a range of risk management option to reduce , eliminate or exploit risk . In any ways zero risk is usually unachievable.

Environmental Risk Assessment: Likelihood of Occurrence Cont.

OCCURRENCE Risk Factor

The activity involved is a normal part of a day-today services or business activities and the aspect involved is a normal by-product

5

The activity involved is regular/scheduled, periodic activity a part of service or business activities and the aspect involved is a normal by-product of the activity when it occurs

4

The activity involved will only occur in an accident or breakdown of situation and there are records of such occurrence In the past three years

3

The activity involved will only occur in an accident or breakdown of situation and there are records of such occurrence in the past two years

2

The activity involved will only occur in an accident or breakdown of situation and there are no records of such occurrence in the past one year

1

Environmental Risk Assessment: Likelihood of Occurrence Cont.

IMPACT- CHARACTERISTICS IMPACT-FORM IMPACT-VOLUME RISK FACTOR

The materials are by nature, highly toxic/hazardous and dangerous and will result in immediate and severe damage

The issues involve are highly mobile forms of pollution-gases/fumes/light dust- and release would be to a highly mobile pathway

Large quantities involved resulting in significant loss or depletion of natural resources

3

The materials involved are by nature, slightly toxic/hazardous and dangerous and will result in immediate minor damage

The issues involved are fairly mobile forms of pollution-liquid/ small solids-and release would be to a fairly mobile pathway

Medium quantities involved and where the quantities and material nature does not constitute a significant loss or depletion of natural resources

2

The material involved are by nature, non-toxic/hazardous but are harmful and will resist in delayed minor damage

The issues involve a low mobility forms of pollution-semi-solids etc.- and release would be to a pathway with low mobility

Small quantities involved and the material is not considered to be of a sensitive nature in respect of depletion of natural resource

1

Risk Management strategies

Risk Management strategies

The risk management options available usually take one of the following forms:- Terminate the source of the risk where possible Mitigate the effect by improving environment management technique

or engineering system Transfer the risk through technology, procedure or investment Exploit the potential benefits of the risk by embracing new

opportunities or Accept the risk by not intervening with new or existing situation

Risk Assessment Formula Risk Assessment = Likelihood + Impact*Extent (Impact= characteristics + Forms* volume (Extent : Local issues-3, Global Issues- 1) Risk Assessment Rating Score:

Risk Score Level Of Significance17 Below Low

18-28 Medium

29-42 High


Environmental Risk assessment

Assessment of the significance of impact Once the impacts have been identified they are prioritised in terms of

their environmental impacts to assist in using them for setting objectives and targets and for identifying operational control procedures. Each aspect identified shall be assigned a significance rating to indicate the relative importance of its related environmental impacts. The significance rating shall be used to define those impacts which shall be controlled through environmental objectives


Benefits Of Environmental Risk Assessment:- Aims to identify those aspects (particular part or feature of something)

that contribute most to the risk The Concept of environmental risk assessment has therefore become

central to the environmental management process. It helps an assessor to choose a course of development which is safe enough. An safe enough or less risky course development would be one which would avoid the dangers of collapse through unsupportable or un sustainable development.

Factors Affecting Environmental risk Assessment Risk Assessment will depend heavily on how risk is perceived by the assessor . Risk perception involves peoples beliefs, attitudes Judgement and Feeling as well as wider social or cultural values that people adopt

towards hazard and their benefits


Lack of technology, policies in Saudi Arabia There is a desperate need in the Kingdom for new technologies and

techniques for handling this waste. Little or no recycling currently takes place (Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, 2012).

Recommendation: waste Management

The pollution prevention Act of 1990, section 6602 (b) congress established an environmental hierarchy that states that:- Pollution should be prevented or reduced at the source

wherever feasible Pollutions that cannot be prevented should be recycled in an

environmentally safe manner wherever feasible Pollution that cannot be prevented or recycled should be treated

in an environmentally safe manner wherever feasible Disposal or other releases into the environment should be

employed only as a last resort and should be conducted in an environmentally friendly manner. Figure .The following diagram

explain the waste management policy

Recommendation: Waste Management (Con’t)

Waste can be segregated as Biodegradable waste:- Biodegradable waste include

organic waste eg;- kitchen waste, vegetable, fruits, flowers

Non Biodegradable:- Non biodegradable can be further segregated into;-

Recyclable waste – Plastics, paper, glass, metal etc Toxic waste:- Old medicine, paints, clinical, bulbs,

sprays cans, fertilizers, & pesticide containers, batteries, shoe polish

Soiled- Hospital waste such as cloth soiled with blood.

Recommendation : Air pollution Management

The first step to controlling air pollution is to identify the source, then the next step would be the installation of pollution reducing technologies. Since we have seen in the previous slide that energy generation is

the major contributor of air pollution. One way of dealing with the problem is to reduce reliance on the energy sources that produce the most pollutants-fossil fuels-while phasing in alternative energy sources, such as wind energy, geothermal energy, nuclear power, and solar energy.

Energy Management:Current Situation

According to a recent article published on Energy research journal, it is cited that Saudi Arabia is one of the largest oil consuming nation in the middle east, consumes approximately 3 million barrels of oil per day for energy generation. In addition, Saudi Arabia primary energy consumption per capita is 3.6 times higher than the world average at 6.7 toe. Reasons for Overconsumption of energy Lack of public awareness which exacerbates over consumption and waste Energy consuming behaviours in Saudi Arabia are based on routine, “emulation” and

negative habits. For example, inside and outside lights being left on when not needed is normal in a Saudi household; it is a Saudi habit to leave television on even when not being watched; most electrical appliances are left on standby without any regard for environmental impacts (Khan et 2015)

Saudi Arabia’s energy intensive industries as well as energy intensive life style in building and transport is encouraged by low energy prices.

Energy Management:Current Situation (Con’t)

We can conclude that Saudi Arabia energy consumption is unstable. A research into the country’s GDP VS energy consumption statistics reveal that its annual energy consumption is growing at double the rate of GDP growth and therefore we need a sustainable solution(Khan et al 2015).

Saudi Arabia’s commitment to curb pollution

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has submitted Intended nationally determined Contribution (INDC) to United Nation Framework Convention on climate change (UNFCCC) to curb GHG emission of 130 million ton of Co2 eq by 2030. Saudi Arabia Aims to achieve this objective by

Energy Efficiency Renewable energies Carbon capture and utilization/storage Utilization of Gas (Riyadh, 2015)

Recommendation :Energy Management (Con’t)

Energy conservation can be achieved in a range of ways:- Energy efficiency:- Using more energy efficient technology that

consumes less electricity, such as LED lighting . Building codes and product efficiency standard help improve the energy efficiency of new building and appliance.

Behavioural changes:- increasing awareness and encouraging different behaviour to reduce energy use.

Load displacement:- Reducing the load on the grid by enabling customers to improve the efficiency of their energy system by recovering waste heat or generating electricity required to meet their own need.

Energy Management: Energy Efficiency

Energy Saving with Occupancy sensors Studies have shown that lighting accounts for

about 1/3rd of the electric energy use and 25-40% of electric cost.

Occupancy sensors has been highlighted as the way to reduce energy consumption

From the chart it is seen that, occupancy sensor can potentially reduce lighting use by 13-90%

Energy Management: Behavioural Changes

Most energy efficiency measures can be implemented through technological intervention, but will equally have to rely on people adjusting their energy consumption behaviour.

According to Davoudi et al 2012, Habits plays a important role in peoples lives. People’s behaviour is often habitual, based on shortcuts and routines rather rational deliberation.

And any changes to peoples energy consumption behaviour will require their routines to be disrupted and then only people will take deliberate conscious decision.

Energy Management: Behavioural Changes

(Mahone&haley, 2011)

Energy Management: Behavioural Changes, Feedback

According to Davoudi et al 2012 Feedback as a important role to play in disrupting a habitual or routine.

Feedback is an essential element in effective learning, they have a significant role to play in raising energy awareness and changing consumers attitude towards energy consumption. Feedback is of two types

Direct feedback Examples: Direct display , Interactive display line with a PC, Smart meters, Prepayment meter

Indirect feedback, Examples: More frequent bills based on meter reading , Frequent bills based on reading plus historical feedback

(European Environment agency, 2013)

environment risk assessment

Documents