Deane Goltermann (asker) Mar 17, 2014:

Thanks to Diarmuid and Tania for your contributions here, this was my first contaminated soil job. And it was sold to me as 'Upphandling'! Quite interesting though.

Charles Ek Mar 12, 2014:

You've misconstrued what the Swedish text involves. Your "soil guideline values" are roughly the same as the "generella riktvärden" discussed in the report I linked to below. Deane's text involves something else, as discussed in that report:

"The Swedish generic guideline values are based on normal conditions at contaminated areas in Sweden. They are intended to be protective of health and the environment at the majority of contaminated sites, although they cannot be applied at all sites. In cases where generic guideline values are not relevant to the conditions at a contaminated site, site-specific guideline values can be calculated, which take into account the actual site conditions."

Compare this with the following statement in your cited source: "SGV should not be used where they are not representative of the site under investigation."

SafeTex Mar 12, 2014:

The word 'soil' Hello all

I didn't understand the suggestions at all at the beginning as I use 'soil contamination levels'. After checking, I can see where "guideline values" comes from but if you go on line, it is nearly always preceded by 'SOIL'
The standard abbreviation is SGV apparently [http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/33714...]
My point is that you should not perhaps take out the word 'soil' and you could even use the abbreviation once it is introduced correctly

SafeTex Mar 12, 2014:

The word 'soil' Hello all

I didn't understand the suggestions at all at the beginning as I use 'soil contamination levels'. After checking, I can see where "guideline values" comes from but if you go on line, it is nearly always preceded by 'SOIL'
The standard abbreviation is SGV apparently [http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/33714...]
My point is that you should not perhaps take out the word 'soil' and you could even use the abbreviation once it is introduced correctly

Diarmuid Kennan Mar 12, 2014:

Info In similar situations, I always give the points to the person who provided the references

Deane Goltermann (asker) Mar 12, 2014:

Great coincidence ... meanwhile, I was just closing in on the Naturevårdsverket's definition (after about the tenth try). Thanks and good work! Now how to divide the points!