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3.1
Methodology
Overview of Process
The project was conducted over a number of phases detailed below.
3.1.1
Phase 1: Project scoping
A scoping study was conducted in December 2008 to assess the level of effort required to produce GAC compliant
with the current CLEA methodology and to enable realistic goals and timescales to be set for the project. Contributing
organisations were asked to indicate the contaminants for which they had previously derived GAC. This resulted in
a list of a possible 150+ substances. These were ranked according to the number of consultants that had derived
GAC for each substance and the top 44 contaminants were selected. In preparing the priority list, the project team
conferred with both the Environment Agency of England and Wales and LQM/CIEH to ensure that there was no
duplication of effort with the forthcoming publication of SGV or LQM/CIEH GAC.
A workshop was held in February 2009 for all participating organisations to finalise the list of contaminants, agree
procedures for the collation of data and peer review, allocate tasks and set the project schedule.
3.1.2
Phase 2: Data compilation and peer review
Methodology
Phase 2 involved the collation of data, selection of appropriate contaminant specific parameter values for use in
the CLEA model and peer review. To ensure that this process was efficient and transparent as possible, a series
of proformas were designed to capture the relevant data and justify why particular parameter values had been
chosen. This ensured that the process of collecting data and selecting parameter values was consistent for all 44
contaminants reviewed.
Each contaminant had three proformas as described in Table 3.1. The finalised proformas for all 44 contaminants
are provided in Appendix B. Further details of the contents of these proformas are provided in Sections 3.2, 3.3
and 3.4.
Table 3.1: Proformas used for data collation and parameter value selection
Proforma
Health Criteria Values
Mean Daily Intakes
Physico-chemical
Properties
Description
Used to present pertinent toxicological information from authoritative bodies. Proforma
also shows recommended health criteria values and justification for the choice of values.
Used to present pertinent background exposure information. Proforma also shows
recommended mean daily intake values and justification for the choice of values.
Used to present relevant physico-chemical information from authoritative data sources.
Proforma also shows recommended physico-chemical parameter values and justification
for the choice of values.
Each of the 26 volunteering organisations was generally allocated 3 to 4 contaminants to review (although some
reviewed up to 6 contaminants). Peer review partners were assigned so that each group of contaminants was
allocated to two volunteering organisations. This ensured that each contaminant was independently researched
by a pair of volunteers.
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