Protocol for the Derivation of Environmental and Human ... - CCME

Section 7
Guidelines Derivation Process
The process for deriving soil quality guidelines for non-human biota according to the key receptors and
exposure pathways previously described are found in Section 7. The general process for deriving soil
quality guidelines is summarized in Figure 9.
7.1 Literature Review
For each contaminant, an extensive literature search of all published and non-proprietary data is
conducted to obtain information on:
• physical and chemical properties,
• sources and emissions,
• distribution in the environment,
• environmental fate and behaviour,
• short- and long-term toxicity, and
• existing guidelines, standards, or criteria.
7.2 Evaluation of Laboratory and Field Toxicological Data
Because the quality of soil toxicity information is variable, toxicological data obtained from the literature
must be screened for acceptability in generating soil quality guidelines. This ensures that studies selected
will provide scientifically verified information. Candidate data are screened according to whether they
are considered "acceptable" (referred to as selected) or "unacceptable" (referred to as consulted) for
deriving soil quality guidelines. Similar procedures were used for the derivation of Canadian Water
Quality Guidelines (CCME, 1991b) and Ontario Water Quality Objectives (OMOE, 1988) and for
screening ecotoxicological data for deriving soil standards in The Netherlands (van de Meent et al.,
1990). The requirements for selected laboratory and field data are outlined below. When available,
field data should be used in conjunction with laboratory data.
7.2.1 Laboratory Data
Selected Data
• Bioassay test procedures should conform to currently acknowledged and accepted soil toxicity
testing practices or protocols (e.g., OECD, 1984a,b; Green et al., 1989; ASTM, 1990a; ASTM,
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