Millennium EMS Solutions Ltd. (MEMS) is a leader in the development of environmental criteria and guidance. This involvement in guideline development gives MEMS an exceptional understanding of the basis for and application of guidelines, allowing us to help clients make the best decisions for their properties. Examples of guideline development work done by MEMS personnel include:
Alberta Tier 1 and Tier 2 Soil and Groundwater Remediation Guidelines (2006)
Members of MEMS’ risk assessment discipline were lead authors of the Tier 1 and Tier 2 guidelines, working in close collaboration with Alberta Environment. These guidelines are an integral part of site assessment and remediation work conducted in Alberta. MEMS continues to conduct training in the use of the guidelines for industry, consultants and regulators.
Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines (2002 – present)
Members of MEMS’ risk assessment discipline have had a high level of involvement in developing federal environmental guidelines, which often serve as the basis for provincial guidelines. Specific projects include revising and updating the CCME protocol for developing soil guidelines, authoring the CCME protocol for groundwater guidelines, and revising the CCME protocol for soil vapour guidelines. MEMS personnel have also participated in the development of several chemical-specific human health and/or environmental guidelines, including nickel, zinc, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene and vinyl chloride.
Canada-Wide Standard for Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soil (PHC CWS) (1999 – 2007)
MEMS personnel were significantly involved in the original development of the PHC CWS and authored the User Guidance for the standard. During the more recent revision and updating of the standard, members of MEMS’ risk assessment discipline were on the three key technical advisory groups and led the revision of the technical supporting documents. MEMS continues to be active in applied research related to petroleum hydrocarbons.
Industry-Funded Guideline Development (2013 – present)
Defensible risk-based environmental quality guidelines are key to proper decision making at contaminated sites; however, some substances present at these sites are still assessed using older interim guidelines. MEMS has been working with industry groups to develop risk-based guidelines for some of these substances to ensure that remediation decisions are scientifically supported and allow for better risk management approaches for these chemicals.
