Domestic Fuel Oil Spill Policy : Amendment

Remedial Standards - Domestic Oil Spill Clean Ups

Background

Since 2002, Nova Scotia Environment and Labour (NSEL) has been using a policy for providing a regulatory framework for dealing with domestic fuel oil spills.The remedial criteria specified in the policy were derived using a tool called risk based corrective action (RBCA for short) to assess the potential for effects on human health caused by petroleum hydrocarbon spills and leaks. All four Atlantic provinces use this tool to specify clean up standards for petroleum leaks. In 2004, a second version of RBCA(V.2) was developed for use in Atlantic Canada to be consistent with national standards for petroleum hydrocarbon cleanups.

Changes to the Policy

Version 2 of RBCA resulted in changes to the remedial criteria for soil and groundwater at all sites, including residential properties. The revised numbers represent the latest edition of RBCA which is used in all Atlantic provinces now and simply reflect changes to the scientific assumptions used in evaluating the behaviour of hydrocarbons in the environment and their potential risk to human health to set clean up standards.

What does this mean for Nova Scotians?

Changing the remedial criteria in the policy to be consistent with Version 2 of RBCA will lead to lower volumes of soil and groundwater needing to be being removed during clean ups while at the same time maintaining appropriate environmental and human health protection.

What about people who are in the middle of a clean-up now?

If individuals are in the midst of clean up right now, the new standards would apply, and in some cases, this may mean that clean up may be completed sooner or at less cost than they thought.

For further information contact:

Pollution Prevention Branch
NSEL Halifax Office
Phone: 902-424-3600
Or contact your local Regional or District Office