Remediation of Contaminated Sediments: A Comparative Analysis of Risks to Residents vs. Remedial Workers

Abstract

This study weighs the risks to workers of cleaning up a Superfund site against the risks to residents of not cleaning up that site. Risks are measured by the number of deaths and disabilities due to injuries and diseases. We posit a cleanup plan involving 31 occupations and 4,581 person-years of work. We posit 20 hypothetical sites and 99 specific sites with varying numbers of residents and levels of cancer death and cancer disability rates. Depending on the number of residents, and the rates, we find that the risks to workers frequently outweigh the risks to residents. We conclude that risks to workers should be accounted for in EPA judgments regarding whether and how a Superfund site should be cleaned up.