An Investigation into the Risk Management Strategies - Case Study Example

An Investigation into the Risk Management Strategies for a Groundwater Cleanup project by Orica Company Name: Course: Tutor: Date: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION One of the most important resources of social value to humankind is groundwater. People use groundwater in various ways to sustain life and compliment other requirements in their livelihoods. It is therefore imperative that the rare resource be protected at all costs. Nevertheless, groundwater is subject to many sources of pollution from the earth surface such as industries, municipal discharge, domestic sewer lines and so on (Australian Water and Wastewater Association 1995; International Association of Hydrogeologists 1999). In assessing the vulnerability of groundwater to contamination, it is important to address a number of issues such as what kind of vulnerability exists; what kind of contaminants the groundwater is vulnerable to; the factors that determine the degree of vulnerability; the kind of vulnerability categories that should be addressed; and limitations and uncertainties involved in the assessment (Australian Water and Wastewater Association 1995). This involves a thorough investigation the area to be managed by assessing various aspects of the area under study such as history of contamination, current status of groundwater, current or potential groundwater contaminants and so forth (Australian Water and Wastewater Association 1995; International Association of Hydrogeologists 1999). In addition, it is important to determine how the vulnerability assessment data can be applied in integrated groundwater management systems to develop mechanisms for effective management and protection (Robins & Geological Society of London 1998; Chilton, International Association of Hydrogeologists, 1999). According to Robins and the Geological Society of London (1998), potential threats of groundwater contamination can be attributed to three basic elements. The first one is the type of hazard provided by potentially harmful activities such as operations in factories that involve discharge of harmful chemicals to the earth surface. In view of this, Orica’s operations in the past subjected the area’s groundwater to much contamination which has posed hazard for a long time even after the active contamination was stopped. The second aspect is the vulnerability of groundwater sources to contamination. This depends on many other factors such as soil properties, nature of the hazard and so forth. Thirdly, the risk of contamination of groundwater also depends on the potential effects of the contamination event. A long this line, different contaminants have varied contamination effects and magnitudes of contamination (Robins & Geological Society of London 1998). Risk assessment and management is usually based on various analyses of the aforementioned elements, followed by a specific response to the risk. Response basically involves evaluation and adoption of various solutions followed by a cautious implementation of measures that focus on preventing or minimizing the adverse consequences of a given pollution event or reduce the probability of its occurrence (Robins & Geological Society of London 1998). Overview of the paper In line with the issues so far mentioned concerning groundwater and risk assessment, this paper will focus on Orica Company of Australia. The company manufactures and deals in various types of products in which the methods used in production and handling of wastes during production need special attention particularly with respect to their effects on ground water (Orica). As will be discussed in the following sections, Orica’s operations in the past and present encompass a wide variety of chemicals that are released to the environment, whose effect on groundwater cannot be gainsaid. Orica Company deals in mining services in which it produces a wide variety of explosives. The products made under this section have various compounds such as derivatives of sulphur, tri-nitro toluene and many others- all of which are deleterious to the environment should they be discharged in their active forms (Orica). The company also manufactures consumer products that include lawn and garden products, paints, waxes, coatings and so forth. These products need special attention order to avoid their possible encounter with groundwater. Orica Company also manufactures a wide chemical used in water treatment (such as sodium hypochlorite), industrial chemicals and so forth, most of which are hazardous should they come in contact with surface and groundwater (Orica). In the past, Orica’s operations caused much groundwater contamination given the nature of its products. This paper will therefore evaluate the strategies the company employs in mitigating effects of past pollution with particular reference to groundwater. In will assess Orica’s risk assessment and management strategies in its Botany Groundwater and Recycling Project at the Botany Industrial Park in New South Wales. The paper will critically evaluate the efficiency of the project. Background information on the project The Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project is aimed at remediation of groundwater that was polluted by Orica Company’s operations in the past (Orica 2004). It is noteworthy that in its initial operations, the company caused much contamination to the groundwater aquifer within its within its vicinity (Orica 2004; Water Recycling Workshop Report 2006). Although the dirty operations were stopped more than two decades ago, the contaminants that were involved such as ethylene dichloride (EDC) and chlorinated hydrocarbons still have much deleterious impact and their effects thus need to be monitored (Orica 2004; Water Recycling Workshop Report 2006). Orica’s risk assessment and management strategies include collect in and use of water rated through the remediation process as stipulated in the company’s environment protection licence. Under this policy, the company uses its ground water treatment plant to water for use within its operations and those of neighbouring businesses (Water Recycling Workshop Report 2006). As apart of a risk management strategy, Orica’s treated groundwater can be reused in various applications including the company’s Botany Industrial Park. Orica’s risk assessment strategy has also been exhibited in the company’s effort to monitor the quality of surface and ground water as well as air emissions from its operations. The company uses both chemical and biological methods such as marine organisms to assess various parameters including plumes (Orica 2004). RISK ASSESSMENT AND RISK MANAGEMENT Risk assent and risk management are two closely related phenomena with respect to remediation. Risk assessment involves characterization of the harmful effects posed by various environmental hazards to human beings (Pritchard 2000). It involves examination of the dangers posed by technology, natural phenomena such as floods, and industrial practices and processes such as those in which Orica Company has been involved. On the other hand, risk management implies the mechanisms that can be used to contain a given risk (Pritchard 2000). Risk assessment encompasses three basic components that include identification of hazards, evaluation of the hazards identified, and implementation of various varius mechanisms to appraise the effectiveness of the evaluation processes (Pritchard 2000). The three components of risk assessment can be broken down into several subcomponents such initiation, preliminary analysis and so forth as detailed in figure 1. Hazard identification involves preliminary studies about a given phenomenon through methods such as short tests to determine if the phenomenon causes considerable danger to the environment or other related phenomena (Robins & Geological Society of London 1998). Examples include studies on toxicity of water in order to determine its harm to various water users. The second step of risk assessment, which is exposure assessment, involves studies to find out the extent to which people can be exposed to a particular hazard (Pritchard 2000). This also involves an examination of the routes through which a particular hazard can affect the environment or people. Exposure assessment also involves quantification of the processes involved in contamination to determine the magnitude of different contaminants (Pritchard 2000). This helps in determination of environmental fate as a result of exposure to the contaminants, and facilitates quantification of differences in concentration of the contaminants in various regions so that remediation efforts can be based on these differences (Robins & Geological Society of London 1998; Pritchard 2000). Another important issue in exposure assessment is the process of determining the potential number of people likely to be affected by a certain contaminant in order to have an overview of the magnitude of remediation required to serve the interests of all the stakeholders (Pritchard 2000). In evaluation of the level contamination of groundwater, it is also important to assess the rates of exposure of the groundwater through different pathways in order to determine the pathways that bring most of the contaminants as well as the corrective measures to deal with the situation. As is discussed in the following section, the exposure of groundwater to contaminants (as is the case of Orica’s contamination) has unique characteristics deepening on the nature of contaminants. The third factor if risk assessment involves determination of the extent to which a given hazard’s level of risk increases with continued exposure to the environment (Pritchard 2000). As with Orica’s project, most operations that used to cause contamination have been stopped but it is important to determine the level to which the current operations may be contributing to further contamination. It is therefore important to determine what is happening to flora and fauna around the region as well as to human beings. This information is important for the purpose of determining the nature of contamination. In essence the process of risk assessment in areas involving ground water is very convoluted. Chart 1: Risk management plan Source: Environmental Risk Assessment (undated) Orica’s risk assessment and risk management strategies The results of the Orica risk assessment and management strategy are highlighted in table 1. Table 1: Risk assessment findings Hazard or area of reference Description Ethylene dichloride (1,2-Dichloroethane ) This compound does not occur naturally in the environment. Its occurrence can therefore be attributed to the fact that Orica Company used to produce vinyl chloride in which 1, 2-Dichloroethane is a major raw material. Ethylene dichloride contamination of groundwater occurred when Orica’s Botany Industrial park used to produce large amounts of vinyl chloride. Huge amounts of the compound thus leached into the soil, ultimately seeping into groundwater. Significant concentrations of 1, 2-Dichloroethane have been recorded in deep and shallow groundwater sources below Orica company’s land. Effects of 1, 2-Dichloroethane 1, 2-Dichloroethane is a persistent risk to groundwater and can last for many years if it remains untreated. The compound presents a high magnitude of risk because it can affect human beings and animals through both drinking and breathing and may be absorbed through the skin. Implication of the 1, 2-Dichloroethane contamination A human health hazard evaluation at Orica considered 1, 2-Dichloroethane to be having no unacceptable level of threat. Mixed contaminant A wide array of contaminants have been noted in groundwater particularly in zones 2 to 4. The contaminants have varied sources resulting from the industrial activities that were carried out in the area in the past. The detected contaminants include a wide range of chlorinated hydrocarbons and many organic solvents such as toluene, petrol and diesel constituents, and heavy metal such as arsenic, lead, nickel and chromium. Prevalence of chloride has been noted in zone two of the remediation project. Preliminary result showed the vinyl chloride may have resulted from other contaminants and not necessarily from the inward bound hydrocarbon columns from the Botany Industrial Park. Vinyl chloride in zones 2 to 4 Initial investigations of groundwater have shown that vinyl chloride contaminants from Orica’s past operations could not have extended beyond zone one into zones 2 to 4. The assumption therefore is that the presence of vinyl chloride in zones 2 to 4 could be attributed to other industries operating adjacent to Orica’ site. Vinyl chloride can also develop naturally from the decomposition of various chlorinated hydrocarbons such as trichloroethane and tetrachloroethane, which are utilised in various operations industrial processes (these operations are carried out by many other factories in the area). Is there contamination beyond zone 1? The outcomes of water quality monitoring show that chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminants do not extend beyond zone 1 since groundwater from the Botany Park does not flow into zone 1. Source: Developed from Orica Fact Sheet 5 (2004) and Water Recycling Workshop Report (2006). Analysis of the risk assessment and risk management strategies In line with findings of risk assessment presented in above, Orica’ risk management strategies are mainly concerned with efforts to clean up the contaminated water and avoid further contamination. To begin, with the company ensures that the quality of its treated groundwater is fit for the purpose for which the water is intended. Thus the company ensures that the bulk of water used in cooling and which is finally sent to the sewer is of high quality. This is guaranteed by reference to the limits recommended by Sydney Water. Orica’s contaminated water is also discharged as effluent into sewer system in line with the effluent quantity and quality standards set by Sydney Water (Water Recycling Workshop Report 2006). There is a possibility of Orica’s treated water being redirected into groundwater sources to ameliorate the contaminated aquifers and water levels. However, a key issue that needs to be addressed is that since treated water is usually aerated, it is likely to cause fouling at the point of entry into the ground. In addition, there is no guarantee that the treated water’s quality parameters will conform to the standards of groundwater, which vary from place to place depending on the nature of the aquifer and rock material (Robins & Geological Society of London 1998). The Orica Company remediation project was designed be operational for a period of 30 years. However, the company estimates that the remediation process may be achieved before the lapse of the 30 years. The company projects that changes in technology may cause an increase in efficiency of risk management procedures such as adoption of bioremediation techniques and so on. Downside of the remediation project In spite of its success, the project fails to highlight a number of issues which are very vital in respect of remediation of a contaminated groundwater source. One compound that is very pervasive in contamination of groundwater and which has largely been ignored is 1, 2-Dichloroethane. Although Orica Company’s assessment report highlighted that there is no significant harm from the compound, there is much evidence to challenge this. For instance, the international maritime organization (2002) notes that 1, 2-Dichloroethane is very harmful when it comes into contact with the skin. In addition to the above criticism, the company has not shown the efficiency of its risk management practices in dealing with contaminants such as chlorine, polypropylene, polyethylene, perchlorethylene, polyvinyl chloride, ammonium nitrate and other complex compounds such as surfactants that are used in detergents. These compounds are not only deleterious but are also persistent pollutants. Since they could still be present in the soil, more attention should be focused on their removal, which has not been the case in Orica’s risk management strategy. Another issue that has not been adequately addressed is the presence of heavy metals such as lead, nickel and chromium in the in the industrial park. In particular, exposure of lead to different environments changes it properties and level of harm (McCally 2002). Factors such as low pH caused by acid rain (which is likely to be prevalent in the Botany Industrial Park) alter its properties and increase its probability of causing harm. Heavy metals present a number of dangers to both animals and human beings. Lead is particularly notorious for its tendency to alter tissue and cell structure when is come into contact with animal and human skin (McCally 2002). It is therefore imperative that the Orica remediation project should focus more attention on management of risks involving heavy metals. Another point that elicits great concern is the possibility of the company redirecting its treated water into the ground. While this may be a good measure to ameliorate the groundwater, it can only be useful if the treated water’s quality conforms to the recommended groundwater standards. Since this many not be easily achieved, it may lead to further contamination of the groundwater. Finally, Orica Company’s assumption that it is not responsible for the contamination in zone 2 to 4 cannot be used as substantive information since the movement of groundwater is affected by many factors including seasonal changes. In addition, leaching and infiltration are processes that cannot be determined simply by studying the presence or absence of contaminants in various areas. Conclusion Orica’s remediation project has been successful in many ways in terms of the strategies used in risk assessment and risk management. Nevertheless, the project falls short of evaluating other complex details and impacts of various compounds and elements such as heavy metals, 1, 2-Dichloroethane, and other hydrocarbon derivatives. This puts the project’s relevance to question since it cleans one side of the environment while leaving some hazards untouched in other areas. References Chilton, J & International Association of Hydrogeologists 1999, Groundwater in the urban environment: selected city profiles, Taylor & Francis, New York. Developed from Orica Fact Sheet 5 2004, Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project, Available from http://www.oricabotanytransformation.com/files/pdf/Factsheets/GW/Factsheet05EDCrev1.pdf (13 May 2009). Environmental Risk Assessment (undated), Available from http://www.fivewinds.com/uploadedfiles_shared/EnvironmentalRiskAssessment040127.pdf (13 May 2009). International Maritime Organization 2002, Dangerous, Hazardous and Harmful Cargoes, New York; IMO Publishing. McCally, M 2002, Life support: the environment and human health, MIT Press, New York Orica 2004, Botany groundwater remediation and recycling process, Available from http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20041013/pdf/3n6fdmglm757l.pdf (13 May 2009). Orica. Available from http://www.orica.com.au/business/cor/orica/COR00254.nsf/HeadingPagesDisplay/About+OricaCompany+Profile?OpenDocument (13 May 2009). Pritchard, P 2000, Environmental risk management, Earthscan, New York Robins, N S & Geological Society of London 1998, Groundwater pollution, aquifer recharge and vulnerability, Geological Society, London. Water Recycling Workshop Report 24 October 2006, Available from http://www.oricabotanytransformation.com/files/pdf/Workshop/Recycling/WaterRecyclingWorkshopReport24Oct06.pdf (14 May 2009). Read More