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

Part B, Section 7
• Exposure time and recognized toxicological endpoints (e.g., mortality, reproduction, growth) for soil
contaminants must be identified. Information from the dose-response curve should be used to
estimate the LOEC and NOEC endpoints.
• Environmental test conditions (e.g., pH, organic matter and clay content, moisture content,
temperature, etc.) should be recorded so that factors affecting contaminant availability and toxicity
can be evaluated.
• Appropriate statistical analysis should be performed and reported in the study.
• Tests that measure contaminant soil toxicity in combination with other conditions considered to be
environmental stressors to the test organism (e.g., soil temperature changes), can be used provided
that these stressors have been accounted for in the test design.
• Experimental effect must be attributable to contaminant of concern (avoid contaminant mixtures, such
as sludges, unless clearly evident that the effect is due to the contaminant of concern).
• Studies which report measured values of contaminants in the soil must use comparable analytical
methods for use in the derivation process.
7.2.2 Field Data
Data from field studies can be used in the derivation of guidelines provided the preceeding requirements
are met as well as the following requirements:
• Effects data must be collected from the same site during the same time period and must be confirmed
with matching soil chemistry data.
• Collection, handling, and storage of samples should conform with standardized or accepted practices
(e.g., Greene et al., 1989).
• The acceptability of other field related variables (e.g., sampling design) should be evaluated case-bycase.
7.3 Minimum Toxicological Data Requirements
After compilation, review, and evaluation of the available information, selected data fulfilling the
minimum toxicological data requirements specified for each of the procedures are used to derive soil
quality guidelines. Minimum data requirements are designed to ensure guidelines are derived based on
effects-data from a variety of organisms. In situations where there is a strong weight of evidence to
suggest that the minimum data requirements do not apply, professional judgement may be used to derive
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